Here I go again!

May 15, 2024

15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

Location:

Washington,DC,

Member Since:

Jan 01, 2009

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

Two Marine Corps Marathons: best '09: 3:55;
10k PR 46 something

Half marathon PR: 1:42:50

Short-Term Running Goals:

3:40 at Shamrock Marathon in VA Beach, March 20

Long-Term Running Goals:

Stay healthy and fit!

Personal:

I'm a very clumsy and injury-prone 31-year-old Argentine runner and biker living in beautiful Arlington, VA.

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate

to Ukraine's Armed Forces

Miles:	This week:	0.00	Month:	0.00	Year:	0.00
Mizuno Lifetime Miles:						401.24
Saucony Lifetime Miles:						289.49

Wed, Jan 21, 2009

Running Miles	Swimming Yards	Bike Miles
6.00	0.00	0.00

Ok people, as I begin feeling better about my running relatively pain-free, I'm having an itch about my future plans... Yes indeed I want to run a BQ relatively soon, believe it or not...

The semester starts on Monday (yes, I am back in school after taking the summer and fall off...) and I'll be taking only one class and supposedly a very easy one. So, I should have time to train properly and hopefully run a marathon at the end of April or sometime in May. That way I'll have the summer off to take another class and do some low-key running and maybe some biking races and triathlons.

The question is, which marathon to run. Any suggestions? I'm willing to travel... I'm looking at Ogden, Salt Lake, Moab, Fort Collins, Capital City (WA), Coeur D'Alene? Of course I have to find out about all of those, if they're flat and if they're BQ, and if I can get in... Any other suggestions?

The plan is to get serious and start increasing mileage starting today, but unlike last year, I will run mostly 40-mile weeks, and maybe one or two 50-mile weeks at the peak of training, but not more than that to avoid injury. Focus on quality over quantity, do some speed work and interval work. I will also cross-train at least two days a week - at the gym (spin and weights) biking or swimming, and that's on top of my bike commute. Something like this:

Mon: bike to work/back; recovery jog (3-4 miles)
Tue: 5-10 miles; intervals (to work and/or back)
Wed: bike to work/back; spin class
Thu: 5-10 miles (to work and/or back)
Fri: 5-10 miles; speed work (to work and/or back)
Sat: long bike ride with Will
Sun: long run

So my questions to you fellow bloggers are:
1. Do you think a 40, sometimes 50-mile week would be enough training to run a BQ marathon?
2. Any suggestions on which marathons to run or avoid?

Thank you guys! happy running!

--------------

Ran home from work, 6 miles, the long way. It was bizarre to run on the mall that is now completely empty, when yesterday it was completely full of people! Shins hurt a bit but not too bad. Doing some core work and stretches/strengthening now as I get ready to go to bed - good night!

Weight: 0.00

Comments

From Marion on Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 13:55:21

I have heard great things about Ogden. I am running the 1/2 and staying to cheer on the fulls :) It would be SO great to meet you! We can PARTY!!! :D

From Marion on Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 13:58:14

You CAN BQ at ogden. Oh please come :)

From Metcalf Running on Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 16:59:52

I'm running Ogden!! It would be great to see you there!

From Burt on Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 18:55:34

I agree with Ogden, but take into account elevation. There's a lot of downhill and it is a qualifier. That being said, I signed up to do it last year but couldn't because I was too sick to train properly. So what the heck do I know?

From Camille on Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 21:42:35

I don't have any reccomendations... but I want to be your cheerleader!!! That's an awesome plan Lucia! You are going to kick some serious tail!

From Lucia on Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 21:44:02

Ogden sounds like fun - I get to meet bloggers, and I can take a trip to Cedar City to visit friends and my Alma Mater... Burt, you're right, I should check on the elevation. And never underestimate the power of your comments, you don't have to know everything to give a good suggestion/advice to someone!

From artichoke on Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 22:04:41

Run St. George in 2009. Register by May. Max out at 60 miles per week. You'll qualify. I'm going to have to miss St. George this year, I'll be in Argentina!

From paul on Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 22:24:00

Out of the marathons you mentioned, Ft. Collins is probably the fastest. Moab is very very small, and Salt Lake is usually poorly managed, plus not terribly fast. Ogden is a great race, one of my favorites.

From Brent on Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 09:34:41

Rocket, I have ran Odgen, TOU, St.George, Salt Lake, Des News - your best chance at a BQ is St.George by far of the Utah marathons. Aslo, St.George is a great course.

By the way, running is the bomb, spinning classes are ok, not my first choice.

Stay Kool, run St.George, you can meet many bloggers, including B (Brent) and (Sylvie) of BS Rools

From huans32 on Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 10:04:01

I would say go for Ogden and or SGM. Tons of bloggers at both. Only thing with SGM is the lottery to get through. Both are great and are the only 2 I plan on running this yr. Hope to see you at one of them.

From Eric Day on Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 13:14:09

Can't help with the races, but I don't see a rest day in your schedule. You won't rest anyday?

If you put some swimming in the schedule, you could also do a triathlon...

Wish you the best!

From jefferey on Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 13:49:29

Consider Newport, Oregon end of May I think. Sean Sundwall killed it there last year and says the conditions are perfect. Out and back along the water and not too hilly.

From Lucia on Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 14:27:48

Thank you everyone for the insights! I'd love to run St. George but my schedule may not allow it (I may be taking 2 classes in the fall). I'll look into Ogden, Ft. Collins, and Newport. All such beautiful places!

Paul, I'm a bit concerned of the altitude of Ft. Collins. I do have a friend that lives there so I could go a few days before the race to get used to it - any insights on this? Thank you!

Eric, I may not run Mondays, but I think with two days of cross-training I don't really need an actual day off completely... Definitely a triathlon in the summer!

From paul on Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 14:40:15

Lucia - Ft. Collins is a downhill course with a steady (gentle) gradient the entire way (nothing too steep, and only one short uphill). In contrast, St. George and Ogden both have a considerable amount of uphill, plus some real quad-blasting downhill in places that can hurt you late in the race. In my personal opinion, altitude does not have as much effect on downhill courses. However, it will slow you down quite a bit on uphills and flat terrain. Thus, since Ft. Collins is a steady downhill for the ENTIRE race, I would think the altitude would have very little effect on your time, compared to if you ran a sea level course.

I made some maps, profiles, and 3D animations for the Ft. Collins race several years ago. The race directors (who are good folks) insisted to me that their course is faster than St. George, because the elevation drop is so gentle and consistent, and there are no uphills. That's quite a claim, but on the other hand, they do rank near the top for % Boston qualifiers every year, so maybe it's true.

From ROBERTO on Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 21:46:55

NO ME DIGAS AHORA TENGO QUE VERLA GRACIAS SI CHE HACE MUCHO FRIO ACA EN NY

From kungfublonde on Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 21:54:32

I suggest you run a marathon really close to me.

I'm not running and I'm taking 15 units in school this semester; I'm like the anti-rocket.

From Kelli on Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 12:40:53

I say UTAH! We would love to meet you and cheer you on! But whatever you decide, I have no doubt you will get your BQ!!

From Lucia on Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 12:48:10

Paul, thank you so much for your comment, very helpful - I've read a lot of good things about Ft. Collins... Of course the BIG disadvantage is that I won't get to meet the Utah bloggers :(

Blondie, after we're done with school we'll run a fabulous and sunny California marathon!

Thanks for the vote of confidence Kelli!

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