What To Do

Categories

Social Bookmarks

Feeds

Help!: Jumping in at Heartbreak Hill????

Bottom of Page

1 to 2 of 2

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorFree Membercmg324
    • CommentTimeApr 10th 2008 edited
     
    cmg324

    Hey all,

    My cousin is running in the Boston Marathon in 11 days! She wants me to jump in at Heartbreak Hill, which I believe is at mile 20 (?) to help pace her and get her through the last 6 miles of the race.

    Problem is...although I am a "runner", I really just run/jog to keep in shape and enjoy the outdoors. I have never done a race other than an 8k. At this point I am running about 3-4 miles 3x a week at a very slow pace (9.5 minute miles...) I am just unsure if I am going to be able to get myself to a pace of >8 minutes with less than two weeks to train...she just asked me this past weekend!

    I really don't want to slow her down or embarrass myself by trying to sprint 6 miles and walking after 3.

    Thoughts? Experience?  

     

     

    • CommentAuthorFree Memberlloydb3
    • CommentTimeApr 10th 2008
     
    lloydb3

    CMG324 I would suggest to your friend that you have your reservations about completing the marathon to the finish with her.  I have run marathons and the support from your friends and family is crucial as you get to the end of the race, but you want to be inspired to run, you don't want to be reminded about how tired you are.

    I would suggest running the hill with her and then continuing on with her at the pace that she wants until you can't continue on.  Then just tell her that she is doing great, give her some food and water and tell her that you will see her at the finish.  You really don't need to cross the line with her, you just need to support her through the lonely miles.

    There really isn't any way to train for that great of an increase in speed in two weeks.  It just will not happen.  I run 8 minute miles and there is no way that I could train for a 6 mile run at 6:30 pace in months, let alone weeks.

    Good luck and I hope that this helps. 

1 to 2 of 2

  1.