How to Run Boston
Question: I'm training for this year's Boston Marathon (my first) with Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge. Given your experience on the Boston Course, I'd like your opinion on pacing myself during the race. I'm hoping to run just under 4 hours which seems like a good possibility given my training on the course. However, I've been told it's easy to start out too fast. Should I try to run slower then do negative splits (on the hills?!) or try to run evenly paced or take advantage of the early downhills? Since this distance is new for me, I'm not sure how fast I'll be doing the last 6.2!
Thanks! Linn
Answer: Boston is a wonderful marathon. I refer to it as W.G.M. (World's Greatest Marathon.) The excitement of all your fellow runners, plus the wonderful spectators along the course, coupled with the history of the race really make it a remarkable experience. That being said, it is very easy to get caught up in the excitement and start off too fast, especially since the first few miles are downhill. I would recommend running a fairly even paced race. Do not go out too fast. Instead, go out at your "goal" pace. You may want to pick up your pace a little bit after you reach the half-way point. That way you have a little margin for slowing down on the hills to come. The hills in Boston aren't that bad, it's just that they occur late in the race when your legs are already fatigued. That being said, most runners have to run those miles (between 16 and 21) somewhat slower than most of the other miles of the race. The last 4 miles are downhill into the finish. I hope this helps and that you enjoy the Boston Experience! Mary