Thanks everyone for the responses so far. Thor - to answer your question "I'm surprised you don't have your pace down by now..." I had my pace down for quite a while...4 of my marathons were between 5:12 and 5:22. I was **** good at that pace! It is my comfort zone, obviously. This year I have tried to push out of my comfort zone. I PR'd in the half marathon and 10k while training for the IM and the IM of course was an entire out-of-comfort-zone experience. I've added in the track workouts this year and tried to be smarter about all my running. I've also been in PT to get my ITB issues squared away once and for all. (apparently I'm about 75% fixed which they say is great for only working on it since June and still keeping my running schedule while doing so).

quote:<HR>Originally posted by LeftRightRepeat:
Are those your only two long runs? How many miles per week have you been running?
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The 18 and 21 were my 2 longest long runs. I've been running "long" again since June after taking off a short time after the April IM. All my of my other runs have been in the 11-15 range. I realize that is considered relatively low mileage by some people's standards, but there is a fine line for me to be able to juggle the run while biking and swimming still and also to stay injury-free (or injury-less...). My weekly mileage has probably been around 20-30.

Ronbo might have some of the story straight as well. I know I've made changes in my training that have already shown great improvement (ran 21 yesterday and biked 46 today without much thought). I'm recovering better from long runs than I ever have before. Usually a 21 mile run would leave me walking really funny for a good 2-3 days. I popped out of bed after my 21 yesterday and had a great ride.

I am also encouraged that my fastest 2 miles on my 21 mile run yesterday were mile 20 and mile 21. That never happens for me. For my 18 mile run, my fastest mile was mile #18.

Things are definitely "different" for me this time around, and dare I say "better."

I think I can definitely take a few minutes off my 5:12 PR, although I'm secretly wanting to see just how minutes I can take off. I'm willing to go out there and take a chance. If it fails and I blow up somewhere, no big deal. I'll be in a new city on an awesome course and will have gotten to take a super slow, very exciting tour of Chicago. Oh, and, at least 50 of my closest running buddies from Houston will be out there too.

Are there any "less fast" runners out there that have run any paces similar to me? I'm interested to see what they have to say too.

Thanks again!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by my6angels:
This October will be the 7th time I have done the Chicago marathon and I always come in either a few minutes under 5 hours or a few minutes over. It sounds like you are making a realistic request of yourself--take 12 or so minutes off your time. Remember that a faster pace is certainly one way to bring your time down, but with only a 12 minute difference, there are some other ways to shave a minute off here and there. Be mindful of how much time you spend/lose at aid stations--everyone clogs up getting the first cup of water but if you run through and get the cup at the end of the volunteer line, there is no waiting. It is very easy to lose 10 minutes just in a line for the bathroom in Chicago and even toward the end of the race course, you will still find lines. Last year I noticed that there were portapotties right before the start line--of course, with long lines, but the advantage is that your chip won't have activated so that time does not add to your race time. The lines at the bathrooms during the first 10 miles are HUGE so you might consider hitting these before the start line to avoid an unwelcome delay later on. Also, the weather can vary from cold to cool to warm, but it has never been as steamy as what you are used to in the years that I have done it. Unless you have real trouble getting moving on cool mornings, the conditions should also favor a faster time. The course is overall quite flat, with a slight incline here or there, but if you are used to hilly courses, Chicago should also produce a faster time. As for where to line up, I would estimate that most people "inflate" their projected abilities somewhat an start with a pace group slightly faster than what they are really capable of, so starting with the 4:45 group shen you hope to finish between 4:45 and 5 hours would be realistic and more honest than many. I don't know how large your other marathons have been, but with 45,000 runners in Chicago, you will have to run a while before the 4:45 pace leaders can actually hit the target pace, just because it is SO congested at the beginning. You may need to run several miles before you can tell what the pace will actually feel like. Good luck and hopefully we will cross the finish line around the same time!<HR>

Thanks for all the expert advice!!! My biggest worry right now is the bladders on my 2 girl running friends!! I have control over mine, but not theirs! Crossing my fingers for no 10 minute bathroom stops.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by mmoonhead:
Granted I've only had one experience with a marathon, but since McMillan is essentially a best case scenario (ideal conditions, ideal training), I'd say add 15-20 minutes to that as your goal time, which is still sub-5.

(FWIW, my Mcmillan marathon time was predicted to be around 4:20 based on my best HM time back then and I came in at 4:34 and change.)

If you're running with a pace group, I'd say start off with the 5-hour group and hang with them for the first few miles. If you're feeling strong, slowly pick up the pace; otherwise, just hang with the group as best you can and you'll most likely still be set for a nice PR even if you don't break sub-5.

- Joe

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I think it is pretty safe to say I'd have to grow a new pair of legs over the next 2 weeks to run anywhere near what McMillian says. I'm very aware of that! I'm just glad my 5k time didn't translate to like a 5:30 marathon or something. I will just try to use that information as positive reinforcement that I am capable of running well. I just need to keep reminding myself that.