Boston Marathon - the best?
171
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1089 days
MaverickUNC posted 2 years ago.
If given the chance I would definitely run Boston. It's not a course meant for PRs, though, but Boston is a marathon that you do for the overall experience. I did a large marathon (Philadelphia) and a small one (Charlottesville) last year and in terms of the overall enjoyment of both I much preferred the smaller marathon. To me, the marathon was something that I wanted to experience alone so a field of 250-300 runners was much better than a field of 15,000 (I came 7min from Boston Qualifying and it's my goal post-IMFL). But Boston is tops, so I would go for it.
"I run because it always takes me where I want to go" -Dean Karnazes
58
Member
1194 days
lkkowski posted 2 years ago.
Not everybody can qualify for the Boston Marathon, I think you would be a fool to pass up the experience. Now, on the other hand, if you think you can continue to run that fast then maybe you could always do it another year.
L
3354
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1401 days
RV posted 2 years ago.
Qualfying first time out - That is great. Impressive.
I grew up in the Boston area - would Love to run it - just have to learn to run fast. Ya I know, if you want to run fast then run fast.
If you can work it out, I think it'd be a great experience.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
139
Member
1357 days
watrbg2 posted 2 years ago.
I have been able to qualify and have run the Boston Marathon (2004, second hottest in history. Qualified again for this year but I'm passing, focusing on IMWI). If you have the finanical means to go - then go!
Running Boston is the highlight of my running career, I doubt there is any other running race that I'll ever do that will be able to top it. It's the one marathon everybody, even nonrunners know about.
Being able to wear the finisher's jacket is special, it means you had to earn it and not just be one of the first 30,000 people to sign up for a marathon. Don't get me wrong, being able to finish any marathon is a great achievment but Boston is special because it's the only marathon that regular runners in the U.S. have to qualify for (I know you have to qualify for the Olympic trials but those aren't your average runners).
The course is deceptively hard. Eventhough it's a net downhill, there are those rolling hills that start about mile 15 or 16 and finish at the top of Heartbreak Hill. They can be fairly tough. It's not that they are very big hills (even Heartbreak Hill), it's just that they go on (and on and on) for six or seven miles. The city and the people are wonderful, too.
Some advice if you go: Be prepared for any type of weather, it could be great running weather or it could be 85 degrees or 30 degrees. Take an old camping pad or something soft to sit on that you can throw away. You are bussed out to Hopkins and you sit in a field under a big tent for five hours before the race starts, it's nice to have something besides the cold ground to sit on.
Go if can and good luck, let us know how you do.
'In a world that tries its hardest to separate us from what matters, the Ironman helps us to reconnect with the pulse of our lives." - Scott Tinley
713
Member
1026 days
gfd posted 2 years ago.
There is nothing like the atmosphere of Boston. I have done it twice and it is unlike any other marathon experience. The history, the city, the course, and the spectators are all amazing. The thing that I found most difficult about Boston was that it does not thin out like other marathons do. You are seeded and they are strict about the corrals. It is tough to get an even pace in the first 10 miles or so.
Your qualifying time is good for 18 months so you are in for 2006 and 2007. You can use the time twice so you can run it both years if you want.
"If you set a goal for yourself and are able to achieve it you have won your race." -Dave Scott
~Garen~
6
Member
1303 days
riosdel posted 2 years ago.
I have run three marathons.... NY, Chicago and Boston.
They were all great in their own way, however Boston was my least favorite of the three.
There is something special about Boston (its the oldest, there is the qualifying standard, etc.) so I would definitely say do it if you can.
But when asked, I always tell people: if you only do one marathon, do NYC. In my opinion, it is hands down the best. Very well run, not too fast but also not too slow... and the crowd is by far the best, there just isn't anything in the world like hitting 1st Ave at mile 16... it's amazing. Boston and Chicago have great crowd support as well, but NYC has two to three times the number of spectators.
190
Member
1049 days
jmruns430 posted 2 years ago.
I haven't run Boston yet, this year will be my first, but I can tell you that I've tried 4 times to qualify before I did this past fall and am very excited. Having run Chicago, I will tell you that the Chicago marathon is an amazing experience, in a great city with lots of people, but you can run Chicago anytime - go to Boston. On that note you don't have to run Boston this year. Your qualifying time is good for entry into next years race as well, but I would do Boston while you have the chance, you may not want to run that fast again!
4911
Member
1715 days
beads1985 posted 2 years ago.
I haven't run Boston but I would like to one day.
I really liked the Marine Corps Marathon in DC.
Nothing to it, but to do it
146
Member
1285 days
VTIRON posted 2 years ago.
I've done Boston 5 times. It is a "must do" race just to say that you have "Ran Boston." The race expo is the best part of it for me.
The crowds are unbelievable but you spend a great deal of time waiting. Get on the bus, ride to Hopkinton, wait for 2-3 hours for the race to start, wait 20 minutes to get to the start line. The course is crowded a good deal of the way.
For me there is just too much of everything but it is a tradition and an experience.
My next marathon will be #58 and I just don't need all that but you need to go to see for yourself.
Good luck and don't forget your purse, you will spend plenty.
75
Member
1051 days
SundayND posted 2 years ago.
Ok, so I am registered and confirmed and booking my ticket now! Just trying to figure out the best training schedule from now until then. Should I aim for one or two longer runs (18-20)? I'm thinking I should lean towards the conservative side (one long run) since I'm already behind in starting tri training. Advice?
I pity da fool!
461
Member
1302 days
rbreddin75 posted 2 years ago.
Its about the experience... (its THE boston freakin' marathon)
do it..
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75
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1051 days
SundayND posted 2 years ago.
It's a no go. I haven't been able to run for the past month due to a hamstring problem. Took a few weeks to figure out it wasn't my knee or IT band, but some scar tissue that developed in my hamstring, causing it to be weak and pulling on the connection point on the outside of my knee.
Getting it worked out, but will be impossible to train enough to do the race this year. But I guess there is next year... :(
I pity da fool!
Question for you marathon veterans out there - I just ran my first marathon this past weekend and qualified for Boston by one minute. I wasn't sure when I'd finish or if, so I haven't even thought about going. My friends are all saying I should go. Is it one of those things that you just "have" to do? (Like if you qualified for Kona, you would be crazy not to go while you have the chance.) Or would another race like NY or Chicago be more enjoyable?
I pity da fool!