Rambling marathon dilemma

[mrshandy]

So I started this thread a few times then deleted a few times.

It's so far away, but I'm planning my fall marathon and considering 3 marathons

Marine Corps Marathon
-very convenient, H, DS, and DD could come watch me.
- have to purchase a bib from someone

Richmond Marathon
- Have to travel for this. Would probably travel solo since it will be too much of a PITA to bring the kids
-Looks like a fun race though and is much flatter than MCM

Potomac River Run Marathon along C&O canal
- Very bare boned, no medal
- Not too far away and H and kids could come watch
- Pancake flat, Advertised as easiest marathon in America

I'm not sure if a BQ is possible in the fall or even at all. But I'm going to give it my damndest and increase my mileage a bunch over the summer and try to drop another 5-7 lbs before marathon training starts over the summer.

The original plan was to try to BQ next Spring at the Shamrock VA Beach Marathon, but the crazy part of me wonders if it's possible in the fall and would love not to train for two marathons in a row.

If a BQ attempt wasn't in the realm of possibility, then I would pick the MCM, because I love all the hoopla and tradition surrounding it.

My last few PRs were good (1/2 Mar 1:48:16 10M- 1:18:41), not BQ good (under 3:35), but a step in the right direction. With a lot of work I may get there in the fall, but I'm not quite sure.

Thanks for letting me ramble. I would appreciate any thoughts.


Which one would you pick?

[jene]

I would do MCM, but I find pancake flat races to be boring

[clseale]

Personally, if my focus was time, and running the strongest race possible, I'd go no frills, small field, option #3. Others will disagree, but I just learned from my last marathon in January, that I enjoy the concentration & focus that comes with smaller races. Also, if the BQ is going to be close (like mine was...BQ-1 min) you don't really have room for the extra mileage large races can give you. Just something to think about.

ETA: #2 would be a close second, MCM would be my third choice.

[runaways]

If I were trying to BQ I'd probably end up doing the smart thing which I think is #3, but I'd be tempted to do #2 just so that it's a little more of an experience. clseale is wise about this shit.

[hannahb]

I'd go with option 3 as well. You don't get all boxed in from the start and it's easier to find your groove. I am also partial to smaller races.
When is this Potomac marathon? I've been thinking of a fall full and this could be an option

[cinco]

Wines has run Richmond and MCM, so she would know better, but from what I hear Richmond isn't any flatter than MCM. I run a ton on the C&O near the WV border, and DH and I both think we are slower on that surface. Also up here if it rains a bit the day before or during, you are running in mud. This might be different closer to DC though. I would try for MCM for a PR. Crowds are far less of an issue when you are running in the 8 min/mile range. My tangents sucked anyway, but it wasn't from crowds. I looked around at other fall races, and decided I'd rather make a PR attempt at MCM. I like the atmosphere and being close to home (or in my case my parents house) is nice.

[clseale]

Apr 7, 2014 11:19:21 GMT -5 cinco said:

Wines has run Richmond and MCM, so she would know better, but from what I hear Richmond isn't any flatter than MCM. I run a ton on the C&O near the WV border, and DH and I both think we are slower on that surface. Also up here if it rains a bit the day before or during, you are running in mud. This might be different closer to DC though. I would try for MCM for a PR. Crowds are far less of an issue when you are running in the 8 min/mile range. My tangents sucked anyway, but it wasn't from crowds. I looked around at other fall races, and decided I'd rather make a PR attempt at MCM. I like the atmosphere and being close to home (or in my case my parents house) is nice.

If this course is not run on pavement, I change my answer. lol

[Wines Not Whines]

I've run #1 and #2, and I've run 20 miles of #3, so I think I can give you a fair comparison.

The Potomac Marathon is definitely the flattest. It's pancake flat. It's also a fairly narrow course, and it's almost completely straight, out-and-back, so there's basically zero room for error on the tangents. It's a small field, which can be good or bad, depending on your perspective. If you get a huge rush from being around other runners and/or spectators, then it might be kind of boring, because all you'll see are trees and the canal. If all you care about is your finish time, it might be a good option.

Richmond was a good race, and I thought it was the perfect size (for me): there were always plenty of other runners around me, and a decent number of spectators, but less crowded and more room to maneuver than MCM.  Good race support and incredibly easy logistics. I stayed in a hotel near the start line and was able to walk outside and line up in my corral 10 minutes before the start. It didn't feel flatter to me than MCM, but I don't know for sure what the elevation difference is. I wouldn't say it was hilly, but there are some small hills. The last 0.2 are downhill, which was great. FWIW I ran Richmond 3 minutes faster than MCM last year, even though I was more tired when I ran it.

You've run MCM, so you know what it's like. I think it's the most fun of the 3 races, but it comes with some logistical issues because it's so huge. 

I think a lot of it comes down to personal preference and how you feel about big vs small races. I've run all three (well, portions of the 3rd), and I decided to run MCM this year. (But I'm running it for fun, not a BQ.) My uncle has also run all three races, and he has a time goal this year, and he decided to run the Potomac marathon this fall.

 

[taratru]

I completely agree with clseale. You know, just like always.

[mrshandy]

Apr 7, 2014 11:16:08 GMT -5 hannahb said:

hannahb
It's November 16.

clseale It's true that it's not on pavement. I think it's compacted dirt/gravel.

cinco Excellent points, definitely something to think about.

Wines Not Whines Great perspective!

Based on this input, if Richmond really isn't really flatter. I would probably take it off the table. I would like to run it someday, it looks really neat!  But it's too much hassle if I may have to travel in the Spring to pursue a BQ again. 

Lots to think about!

 

[thom]

I don't think you're rambling, it's nice to talk this stuff out.

I'm sort of in the same boat with the BQ goal. I feel like it's in the realm of possibility now, but I probably need a few more marathons under my belt to really go for it. It's exhausting to think about need several training cycles to get there though!

Anyhow, I've done a few medium size marathons (Fargo and Minneapolis) and this spring I'm running a much smaller race, flat, though it does have nice swag, food, & organization. Not many spectators though. I'll let you know what I think about the smaller, sparse field in a few weeks!

In the meantime, My vote is tied between MCM & the 3rd choice. I feel like MCM would be beyond amazing, but the small race might give you a better BQ chance. Also, if you buy an MCM bib, does it transfer into your name? As obviously you'd want to be in your own name to go for the BQ...

[mrshandy]

Apr 7, 2014 12:22:04 GMT -5 thom said:

I don't think you're rambling, it's nice to talk this stuff out.

I'm sort of in the same boat with the BQ goal. I feel like it's in the realm of possibility now, but I probably need a few more marathons under my belt to really go for it. It's exhausting to think about need several training cycles to get there though!

Anyhow, I've done a few medium size marathons (Fargo and Minneapolis) and this spring I'm running a much smaller race, flat, though it does have nice swag, food, & organization. Not many spectators though. I'll let you know what I think about the smaller, sparse field in a few weeks!

In the meantime, My vote is tied between MCM & the 3rd choice. I feel like MCM would be beyond amazing, but the small race might give you a better BQ chance. Also, if you buy an MCM bib, does it transfer into your name? As obviously you'd want to be in your own name to go for the BQ...

Yeah, MCM has a great transfer program. It's the one and only marathon I've run.

[runaways]

Ooh yeah, speaking for myself I know I wouldn't be able to run as fast a race on gravel as on pavement. I'd rule that one out.

[runaways]

I have another thought, which is that looking back on the Houston marathon this year, I had a lot of confidence going in because I had run it before, I know the city, and I was familiar with the route and the logistics. My pace was ~8:50/mile, and I really didn't have too many issues with the crowd. Early on I just picked a line on the road and followed it until things cleared out a bit. All that to say, MCM may end up being better for you since it's a familiar race, and you'll be running pretty quick so hopefully crowds will be less of an issue.

[clseale]

With the updates, I don't know what I would do. I want an option D. LOL. Glad I could help!

[ebeth]

I'd do MCM.

#3 sounds terribly boring to me.

[gt7301b]

I'd probably sign up for 1 and 3 and see how your training goes. If the weather is nice you could run the full and go for a BQ. If it is a hot and humid summer like day run the half as a nice training run and use race 1 as your A race.

My husband LOVES running on the C&O canal and does almost all his training runs there. I’ve run/watched him run a dozen half marathons and he races great on this course. I, on the other hand, was not a huge fan of the half version of number 3. The weather can be a little tricky as race number 3 is in September. Last year it was a fabulous day, but the year before it was HOT.

[mrshandy]

Apr 7, 2014 14:02:43 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I'd probably sign up for 1 and 3 and see how your training goes. If the weather is nice you could run the full and go for a BQ. If it is a hot and humid summer like day run the half as a nice training run and use race 1 as your A race.

My husband LOVES running on the C&O canal and does almost all his training runs there. I’ve run/watched him run a dozen half marathons and he races great on this course. I, on the other hand, was not a huge fan of the half version of number 3. The weather can be a little tricky as race number 3 is in September. Last year it was a fabulous day, but the year before it was HOT.

I was actually on planning on doing the one in November 16.

[psyri]

Well, I think you should train for a BQ because it can take several attempts to actually make it. It took me a failure and 2 back-to-back training cycles to get a BQ. And if you can run a PR at Cherry Blossom, you could absolutely do it at MCM.

Personally, I'd choose Richmond, but I tend to like mid-sized marathons best. You're never running alone, and you have room to run at your own pace from the beginning. I don't particularly like the hassles and crowding of huge marathons. Small marathons (I did one with about 100 finishers) are OK, but they can get lonely and there isn't much crowd support. What is most important to you? Figure that out and pick the one that matches it best.

P.S. Shamrock is a great choice for a BQ attempt!

[gt7301b]

Apr 7, 2014 14:53:51 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Apr 7, 2014 14:02:43 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I'd probably sign up for 1 and 3 and see how your training goes. If the weather is nice you could run the full and go for a BQ. If it is a hot and humid summer like day run the half as a nice training run and use race 1 as your A race.

My husband LOVES running on the C&O canal and does almost all his training runs there. I’ve run/watched him run a dozen half marathons and he races great on this course. I, on the other hand, was not a huge fan of the half version of number 3. The weather can be a little tricky as race number 3 is in September. Last year it was a fabulous day, but the year before it was HOT.

I was actually on planning on doing the one in November 16.

Opps, scratch that plan entirely, in that case I'd go with either 1 or 2 .  If you are running strictly as a BQ I'd run Richmond.