Thanks for the welcome!

I've been debating on whether I should train for a full or a half. I received an email yesterday from the Maine race director and he told me that I have up until the weekend of the race to change my entry. I cannot fathom finishing a full, but I remember a time when I couldn't fathom running 7 miles and I did it last Sunday! I'm going to start the marathon training and just see how it goes. If I feel like it's too much then I'll stick to the half. Is anyone running the 10K in Boothbay Harbor on May 6th?


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Welcome twogirls! I am quite impressed with your running resume. I've been running over six years (this stretch) and I only started racing in January '05. Since then I've covered most distances, 5 and 10K, 4 , 5 and 10 miles and half and full marathons. My favorite races are the middle distances, 10K to half marathon; long enough to get a rhythm and know I am really working, yet not so long that I know I?m going to be sore for a few days. If you?d like a little ?unsolicited advice? I recommend knocking off the half marathon first. My first road race was a half marathon and although I trained for it, I never realized how much it would take out of me until I had finished. I ran my first marathon this past January and that was a lot of work, physical and mental. If your mind is made up don?t let me discourage you, yet it?s a lot to bite off so early in your career. Find a decent training program and don?t be afraid to add some mileage. One or two twenty mile training runs will only help if you just want to finish. If you want to run comfortably and not hobble around for several days, beef up the long runs. (Again, take it for what it?s worth, its unsolicited advice!) I also am registered for the Maine Half Marathon and I will use it as a training run for my second marathon.

Bob and elufa. My goal is to get below 20 minutes. Last year I ran a 21:25, yet by the end of summer I had run 20:05. In the Kerryman Pub 5K last month I ran 20:17. It?s possible, I just need to focus and push these old legs! I?d be happy to run with you both, lets decide on a place to meet that morning and then find our place up near the front.

BTW, elufa, that photo also looks like Tukey?s Bridge to me. Twogirls wrote that she ran the Patriot?s Day 5 Miler and that was part of the route. You?re very observant.

Boothy. No matter what Lance runs he will certainly beat my best times! Some people just have natural ability and utilize it to their maximum potential.

Brian

Brian and elufa, I would love to meet up with you both and we could certainly make an attempt at breaking the 20 minute barrier together. When I ran last year I think I was a bit too conservative in the early going and was unable to make up the time finishing in 20:25 but I know I had more in the tank just ran out of distance! I generally get there early enough to park in between the Expo and the building to the right (forget what it is). There is some pretty good protection there from the elements if it is windy etc. If either of you would like to meet up for a training run along the course let me know and we can give it a shot.

I did 8 4 x 440s last night at the Biddeford HS track with these results:

1 - 1:22
2 - 1:21
3 - 1:18
4 - 1:17
5 - 1:26
7 - 1:27
8 - 1:25

I must say that I was pretty tired by the last one, I was fighting a pretty strong headwind on half the run each time and the Boston Marathon is only one week gone by. But my legs feel great and I think with the proper pacing I can break 20!

twogirls3637, I would have to concur with Brian?s recommendation that you try the HM first, although if you build up your base and have your mind set on a full then go for it. The Maine HM was my first long distance run and was the catalyst for getting me hooked into running marathons. As far as training goes there are so many different plans, I have Hal Higdon?s book, along with Galloway?s and I also use the Coolrunning sites training and will tweak it a bit as I feel necessary. Either way best of luck and keep us informed.


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Bob

Brian - I only know that's part of Tukey's Bridge because I work near Back Bay and run that route (up to East End) just about everyday, hence recognizing the background.

As for the 5K, my PR is 20:06 on the SeaDog's course and I too am looking for the elusive sub-20 5K. I don't run 5K's too much and haven't been doing any interval workout, so I'm not sure 'where I'm at'. However, I'm currently training for VCM and feels like that I'm in the best shape of my life, so I would like to think that I've got what it takes to reach my 5K goal.

I haven't registered for the SeaDog's 5K yet and will do so the morning of the race, so meeting at the Expo will work for me.

Jack

Brian: I was registering for the Captain Cash 5K in Old Orchard and while looking at last years results realized that you finished jsut behind me. That was a great race although it was a bit warm for me. I ran a 21:05 which was good enough for 3rd in my division but I think I really sufffered due to the heat, I hope the temps cooperate this year and maybe we can have a faster run there as well although a sub 20 might be a bit tough with that hill coming up to the OOB Town Hall!

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Bob

Hello everyone. I'm from Georgia but was in Maine to run B2B in 2003 with some friends of mine. What an incredible experience! Fantastic people and great crowd support. I hope to get back sometime soon. Even went to mass at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Brunswick. Important to me because he is my patron saint. The whole trip is memorable and something I'll never forget. Reading this thread makes me want to be there now!