Would you run a marathon/half that was all downhill?

[foundmylazybum]

Yes. I would just train for it.

ETA: I actually prefer a course that has some terrain variation in it. I've never really done well on a "flat, fast, course." 
They are usually boring and painful for my body. I need some ups and downs to work.

[archaeominx]

I did a half that had a 7 mile downhill that wasn't exactly a gradual descent. My quads were fairly pissed at the end but it wasn't that bad. You definitely will want to train with hills though to get ready for it.

[Wines Not Whines]

I think there's a difference between net downhill vs. the entire race being downhill. I'm cool with net downhill. I prefer it, actually. But a net downhill race can have a lot of flat stretches and rolling hills. If the entire race is downhill, I think that would kill my quads and knees.

[kams]

Jul 10, 2013 23:29:30 GMT -5 coconutbug said:

Jul 10, 2013 23:20:47 GMT -5 zoidberg said:

Ugh, St. Louis is terrible for humidity. Hopefully you will adjust quickly when you get to DC.

How is the drive going?

On the first day we heard a rattling sound for about 300 miles, but couldn't figure out what it was...and then realized later that the loud cracking sound we heard was our license plate flying off somewhere along the 40 in Oklahoma.  I'm surprised we've made it for a couple days now without getting pulled over.  Otherwise, we're just chugging along.  How's the iron?  Do you get to go back to the doc to get cleared for exercise soon?

IT'S OK OFFICER, I AM THE AMBASSADOR!!

Glad you're making good progress and things are relatively ok! We're thinking about you!

[shelbyann]

Jul 11, 2013 6:57:10 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I think there's a difference between net downhill vs. the entire race being downhill. I'm cool with net downhill. I prefer it, actually. But a net downhill race can have a lot of flat stretches and rolling hills. If the entire race is downhill, I think that would kill my quads and knees.

I came in to say exactly this. CIM is net downhill and I loved the course, lots of gentle rolling hills to keep things interesting. Flat and fast or a gradual descent would be fine with me for a 5K or 10K, but I wouldn't want to do a longer race on that kind of terrain. It would be mentally boring in addition to being hard on the legs.

[pamela]

I haven't done anything near that distance, but for the bridge runs I've done with 1 mile downhills, what killed me was my abs, not my quads. Made me realize I need to do some strength work on my core.

[zoidberg]

Jul 11, 2013 7:11:39 GMT -5 kams said:

Jul 10, 2013 23:29:30 GMT -5 coconutbug said:

On the first day we heard a rattling sound for about 300 miles, but couldn't figure out what it was...and then realized later that the loud cracking sound we heard was our license plate flying off somewhere along the 40 in Oklahoma. I'm surprised we've made it for a couple days now without getting pulled over. Otherwise, we're just chugging along. How's the iron? Do you get to go back to the doc to get cleared for exercise soon?

IT'S OK OFFICER, I AM THE AMBASSADOR!!

Glad you're making good progress and things are relatively ok! We're thinking about you!

lol!!!

Now please excuse me while I park illegally.

[zoidberg]

This is the elevation map: www.shiprockmarathon.com/srm/raceinfo.html

How do you specifically train for downhills, just doing a lot of hills?

[coconutbug]

Jul 11, 2013 7:11:39 GMT -5 kams said:

IT'S OK OFFICER, I AM THE AMBASSADOR!!

Glad you're making good progress and things are relatively ok! We're thinking about you!

LOL!!!!  Hope you're all settled into your new home!

[spunkypenguin]

I ran an all downhill 15K last fall and loved it. Planning to run it again this fall My legs didn't really bother me after.

[Susie]

Yeah, as long as it wasn't super steep.

This is the Mohawk Hudson Half elevation profile:

and I'd be doing it this year if it hadn't sold out so fast.

This is the full:

which I'd like to someday do as my first full.

Neither one is ALL downhill, but definitely significantly net downhill.

[InBetweenDays]

Jul 11, 2013 6:38:57 GMT -5 foundmylazybum said:

Yes. I would just train for it.

ETA: I actually prefer a course that has some terrain variation in it. I've never really done well on a "flat, fast, course." 
They are usually boring and painful for my body. I need some ups and downs to work.

I completely agree. Main reason I didn't like the Chicago half marathon. The run along the lake was pretty, but a mostly out and back with the same view with no elevation change made for a boring run in my mind.

Looking at the elevation of that run it averages less than a 1% grade. I'd definitely do it as long as I was able to train with a good deal of downhill runs.

[SuziSaysDa]

There is a half in Austin, TX - 3M, that is mostly downhill (and comes with a kickass goodie back full 3M product - it is my current PR, I love that course. I do well on downhills.

[Deleted]

No. My legs are still a little bit screaming $@|%# you from the downhill parts of the SF marathon 5 years ago.

[blndsnbrdr]

Downhill isn't bad...but you do need to train specifically for it! Uphill is obviously hard but downhill does a serious number on your knees and quads!

I'm definitely not going to talk you out of it!

[chw57]

I've done CIM (in Sacremento) twice (net elevation loss of 340 ft) and the San Francisco marathon twice (loop with a couple sort of nasty hills) and I do much better in San Francisco... I think net downhill courses can be deceivingly hard.

[zoidberg]

Kams told me about a couple of specific 6-9 mile downhill runs here in town, I think I might go for it!

How many times a week do I need to work on downhills? Is one enough?

[shauni27]

I think the elevation map of shiprock looks dreamy to me, but I generally love downhills.