poll time-nycm 2011 edition!

Yep, it’s back!! And this time it will be in the sidebar til race day…

Again-realistic guesses please! (if you want to comment your guess, go ahead too!)

So to give some background, I might as well reveal my several tiers of race goals.

• Finish.  After MCM in 2009, I will never take finishing for granted ever again.
• Sub-4.  I’ve never run a marathon over 4 hours.  I’d kind of like to keep up that streak.
• Sub-3:40.  Will be my third time trying for it!!  Would love to get this time after it has eluded me the last coupla years…and oh yeah, is also the new BQ time for my age group.
• Sub-3:35.  BQ-5 for me, or the open standard…would be kinda cool to get even though I’ve aged up :)  Using my SI Half time as a predictor, McMillan sez 3:31:51.  Doable?  Maybe.  My MP work has been around that pace… (and for what it’s worth, in 2008 McMillan predicted a time 23 secs slower than what I actually ran in NYC!  Pretty damn close.)
• If things were to go totally, absolutely perfect…stars aligned, etc…sub-3:30.  in other words, I don’t anticipate this one happening.  If it does, I will be dancing on tables   Daniels predicts 3:28:39 from my SI Half time, but I still feel that is a little aggressive…

Training seemed, mileage-wise, to be sorta in line with 2008-which coincidentally, was my last good marathon   But lot more quality this time around (track, tempo, hills), including MP work, and the race times showed it

And for fun, a little comparison of the tune-up races in previous years and what they led to on race day

	NYC 2006	NYC 2008	Chicago 2010	NYC 2011
5K	N/A	22:44	23:24 22:48	22:30
4 mile	N/A	N/A	N/A	28:43
5 mile	39:03	38:11	37:36	36:00
Half-marathon	1:47:51 (NYC Half) 1:48:57 (Grete’s)	1:42:20	1:44:19 (extrapolated from 20K time)	1:38:58 (flat) 1:40:27 (hilly)
Marathon result	3:58:26	3:44:14	3:43:06	???

Vote early. But do not vote often-I once again fixed it so certain people won’t try and stuff the ballot box…you all know who you are!

Thanks for playing!

guess my half-marathon time, 2011 edition

It’s back!!  Less than 2 weeks to go til the Rock ‘n’ Roll Philly Half, time for the guessing game to start.

Realistic guesses please!  To help with that, here’s a little data…

Best half ever was from this same race in 2009-1:37:36.  2nd best was 1:42:20 in the 2008 race!

In terms of predictors for now…my Club Champs 5M time predicts 1:40:25. Keeping in mind that was a hilly course and on a hot/humid day and I wasn’t really tapered…with the flat course, and being a little further along in training, I’m hoping I can better that prediction a little bit.

In comparison, 2008′s Club Champs 5M time predicted 1:46:30 and I ran 1:42:20 that year…and in 2009 the Club Champs 5M time predicted 1:42:41 and I actually ran 1:37:36.

Orrrrr…if you want to go by paces per mile-in 2008 I ran 7:38 pace at Club Champs and 7:48 pace in the half.  2009, ran 7:21 pace at Club Champs and 7:27 pace in the half.  2011, I ran 7:12 pace at Club Champs and ??? pace for the half…?

As always, one of the choices I feel is very unrealistic, but I felt I had to put it in anyway.

My goals for this race…would like a PR, definitely want under 1:40 to prove that time 2 years ago was not a fluke (is it me, or am I having to prove that a lot of times aren’t flukes…)  And wouldn’t mind hitting the NYCM/NYC Half qualifying standard of 1:37 or better (provided that does not get changed)

Vote early. But do not vote often-I once again fixed it so certain people won’t try and stuff the ballot box…you all know who you are!

Thanks for playing!

“guess my marathon time”, chicago edition

OK I’m bored at work right now.  So might as well post.  Yep, it’s that time again.

Again-realistic guesses please!  (if you want to comment your guess, go ahead too!)  To help, here are the stats…

Only two marathons to date that I’ve actually finished-NYC 2006 in 3:58:26 (splits of 1:58:02/2:00:24.) and NYC 2008 in 3:44:14 (1:50:43/1:53:31)  Both had picture-perfect weather.

This time, topped out at a 52 mile week (this past week-only one over 50), with 10 weeks where my mileage was at least 40, three 20-milers and one 21 miler (this past weekend.) For the bulk of training-ran 5 days a week-which included 1 tempo or MP run, 1 VO2max/interval session and a long run.

Races-this time around my best 5M time was 37:36 (my time for the same race in 2008 was 38:11 and 2009 was 36:49) and ran a 20K race in 1:38:51.  (In 2008, I ran a half-marathon in 1:42:20 and in 2009 in 1:37:36.)  And I guess there’s always the Brooklyn Half which I ran before I started training…that being 1:42:27.

In terms of predictors for now…my 20K time predicts 3:40 flat.  My Club Champs 5M time predicts 3:41:11.  I wasn’t tapered for either of those races though.  The Brooklyn Half, which I was tapered for (and ran on much lower mileage), predicts 3:36:04.

I know how flat Chicago is…not sure how much of a difference, minutes-wise, that will make (between that and a hilly course like NYC.)

Again, one of the choices I feel is very unrealistic, but I felt I had to put it in anyway.

Right now, the goal is…well you know what the A goal is.   Fallback goal will be a PR…so maybe I could qualify for 2012?

Vote early. But do not vote often-I once again fixed it so certain people won’t try and stuff the ballot box…you know who you are

Thanks for playing!

“no sleep” or “the situation”

OK, as I hinted to Kevin in a previous comment of mine, a poll was gonna be coming soon…and well without further ado…here it is.

So with my fall goal race in place, I was still thinking about something to work towards in late spring…thinking half marathon.

So originally I was thinking the NJ/Long Branch half…having heard good things about the race and knowing others who are doing that race and/or the full marathon.  But then I started wondering if I’d be ready in time and wouldn’t you know it…Brooklyn is a coupla weeks later…and that is a race course I do need some revenge on.

Basically my goal would be not to “just finish”, but to run well.  I have a feeling a PR/NYCM qualifying time would be out, but I’d love under 1:50, or even better, under 1:45.

So let’s weigh the pros and cons of both:

New Jersey
Pros:	Cons:
flat, fast course-I’ve heard very good things about it other Flyers/friends running either this race or the full experience a new race possibility of guest appearances by “Snooki,” “J-Woww” or “The Situation” (yeah couldn’t resist a Jersey Shore joke)	kinda pricey (currently $85, up to $90 on March 1) no race-day packet pickup May 2nd-may not be ready in time? dealing with NJ Transit to get there…we all know how undependable they are!
Brooklyn
Pros:	Cons:
(relatively) close to home-much easier to get to may be fun to experience the new course ending at Coney Island, enjoy the post-party on the beach May 22nd-3 more weeks to prep can pace the whole 13.1 for the More Half Marathon on 4/25 instead of cutting it short to taper much cheaper ($25 before May 7) another race towards the 9 + 1 for NYCM 2011 guaranteed entry (not saying im going to run it, but nice to have the option if needed) would like revenge on this course	Prospect Park hills at the beginning heard not-so-good things about the water situation on the course, and a bottleneck when the faster runners lapped the slower runners in the park last year the boardwalk tore up my calves in 2005 and 2006-would the same thing happen again? Only 3 weeks of downtime before I’d start training for Chicago…

So help me decide!!  Poll is below…and feel free to comment your reasoning(s) for your votes too!

Thanks for playing

"guess my marathon time", MCM edition

I may be tempting fate by posting this, but what the hell. Yep, it’s that time again.

Again-realistic guesses please! To help, here are the stats…

Only two marathons to date-NYC 2006 in 3:58:26 (splits of 1:58:02/2:00:24.) and NYC 2008 in 3:44:14 (1:50:43/1:53:31)  Both had picture-perfect weather.

This time, topped out at a 54 mile week, with 11 weeks where my mileage was at least 40 (2 of those being 50+), and three 20-milers. Races-this time around my best 5M time was 36:49 and best half-marathon time was 1:37:36 (last year I ran the same exact races in 38:11 and 1:42:20.)

In terms of predictors for now…my Philly Distance Run time predicts 3:25:50. Uh yeah. My Club Champs 5M time predicts 3:36:35…more realistic, perhaps?

I know the MCM course is supposed to be flatter than NYC…not sure how much of a difference that will make.

Again, one of the choices I feel is very unrealistic (although I know some of you think otherwise!), but I felt I had to put it in anyway.

Right now, the goal is…well you know what the goal is

Vote early. But do not vote often-I once again fixed it so certain people won’t try and stuff the ballot box…you know who you are

Thanks for playing!

What will my MCM time be?(polling)

guess my half-marathon time-2009 style!!

yep it’s back!!  Less than 3 weeks to go til the Philly Distance Run, time for the guessing game to start…check out the new poll in the sidebar!

Realistic guesses please! To help with that, here’s a little data…

Best half ever is last year’s Philly Distance Run-1:42:20
In terms of predictors for now…my Club Champs 5M time predicts 1:42:41. (not using either of my 5K races to predict…too short!)
In comparison, last year’s Club Champs 5M time predicted 1:46:30 and I ran 1:42:20.
As always, one of the choices I feel is very unrealistic, but I felt I had to put it in anyway.
My main goal for this race…would like at the very least a PR, but kinda sorta dreaming of 1:40…I’d take either sub-1:40 or 1:40:xx

Vote early. But do not vote often-I once again fixed it so certain people won’t try and stuff the ballot box…you all know who you are!

Thanks for playing!

What will my 2009 Philly Distance Run time be?(opinion)

once again, it’s time…

…for another “guess my race time” poll!! This one, the Club Team Champs 5-miler edition. Check it out in the sidebar.

Now, I know you can’t predict marathon times from short distances like a 5-mile race. But according to the everso popular McMillan calculator, my time from last year’s race predicted a 3:44:37 marathon…and I ran 3:44:14! So pretty damn close…and why I’m curious to see how well I do here

Once again-realistic guesses please! To help with that, here’s a little data…

Best 5-mile time is the last of the old-school PRs…37:51 in the Father’s Day 5-miler in 2004.
2nd best is 38:11 in last year’s version of this race-which I claim as my “submasters PR”
If you want to count 8K times too, then 37:35 in this year’s NYRR 8000 is I guess my best most recent time for the distance…which is equivalent to a 37:47 5-miler.
In terms of predictors for now…my time from the Mini 10K predicts 37:51…why, that time looks very familiar!! And keep in mind, this race won’t have the Harlem Hills like the Mini did…not to mention that the Mini was before marathon training, on much less mileage…
The time from my recent 5K predicts 37:06. That course didn’t have the CP hills…but I do feel that I’m stronger in longer distances…not to mention that this race has great cheering sections Also-I wasn’t tapered for the 5K…had done 15 miles 2 days earlier.
Loose time goal for now is a PR…to wipe the last of those 2004 PRs off the books
Again. one of the choices I feel is very unrealistic, but I felt I had to put it in anyway.

Vote early. But do not vote often-I once again fixed it so certain people won’t try and stuff the ballot box…you know you know

Thanks for playing!

What will my Club Team Champs 5-miler time be?(surveys)

treating myself

OK, with my old-school, 1st-generation iPod nano prolly on its last legs, and the ability to get so much more for my money these days…I have decided to treat myself to a brand-spankin’ new, 4th-generation iPod nano.

The question is…when would be the appropriate time to give myself that gift?

Now? I have finished 1 month of training…
Or maybe if I PR at Club Champs!!
Or maybe wait til the halfway point…something special to get me through the more grueling 2nd half of training.
Or make it a b-day present for myself?
Or sometime else?

And I decided to bring back the voting booth!! Yeah, I decided to put these choices in a poll and let everyone have their say.

Vote early. But do not vote often-I once again fixed it so certain people won’t try and stuff the ballot box…you know who you are

And for those of you who are a fan of my “guess my race time” polls…rest assured, there will be one coming soon

When should I treat myself to a new iPod nano?(poll)

another poll-help me choose my fall marathon!

OK, so I can’t be a trophy wife, but maybe I can be a Boston qualifier in 2009. My only question is where should I try for it? Yeah, I know it may be early but these things fill up mad fast…

So right now-the decision is between the “fall 4″ and for entertaiment’s sake I have a poll in the sidebar

Chicago
Pros-flat and fast, crowd support is as great as NYC, my 1/2 and marathon times would get me a preferred start
Cons-too early=warmer weather?, more travel expenses

Marine Corps
Pros-conveniently located (no need for plane travel), have heard very good things about the course and crowd support, perfectly timed (end of October)
Cons-no corrals by pace?

NYC
Pros-home field advantage, need I say more?
Cons-too hilly to try for a PR? Plus have done this one twice, might be better to try something else…

Philadelphia
Pros-conveniently located (no need for plane travel), have some course familiarity thanks to doing the Philly Distance Run
Cons-a bit late for my tastes (marathon mania will have worn off by the time I’d have to do my last long run), possibility of too-cold weather (29 degrees anyone?), no lineup control at the start?

Right now-I am sorta leaning towards Marine Corps but am open to any other suggestions!! (And there is a place for an “other” write-in vote) However-no spring marathons, as the plan is to race nothing longer than a 10-miler or a half this spring. Year-round marathon training could lead to burnout…another note-I’d prefer to not do a race with a backup in mind…solely for financial reasons-2 marathon fees may not be in the budget…

And any words of advice to sway me one way or the other on the races I’m thinking of would be very helpful

What should my Fall 2009 marathon be?
( polls)

poll time again-you knew this was coming!!

What better way to kick off taper madness than to play “guess my marathon time”? I have the poll in the sidebar this time…this will stay open til marathon morning!!

Again-realistic guesses please! To help, here are the stats…

• First (and only) marathon-NYC 2006 in 3:58:26 (splits of 1:58:02/2:00:24.) Picture-perfect weather. Highest mileage week in training was 41, with 3 20-mile runs. Best shorter races that time were the Club Champs 5M (39:03) and the NYC Half (1:47:51).
• This time, topped out at a 47 mile week, with 6 weeks where my mileage was at least 40, and again, 3 20-milers. Races-this time around my best 5M time was 38:11 and best half time was 1:42:20, and ran a half (1:52:37) at hopeful MP.
• In terms of predictors for now…my Philly Distance Run time predicts 3:35:49-a bit ambitious considering how flat that half-marathon course was…
• My Club Champs 5M time predicts 3:44:37 (that race being hilly, hot and humid!)
• Again, one of the choices I feel is very unrealistic, but I felt I had to put it in anyway.
• Right now, the goal is loosely between 3:45 and 3:50

Vote early. But do not vote often-I once again fixed it so certain people won’t try and stuff the ballot box…you know who you are

Thanks for playing!

What will my NYC Marathon time be?
( polls)

poll time again-guess my half-marathon time!!

OK, as I had so much fun with the last one, couldn’t resist another…c’mon, try and guess what my half-marathon time will be in 2 weeks!!

Realistic guesses please! To help with that, here’s a little data…

Best half ever is 1:43 flat (Vegas ’05-net downhill course, but with crazy headwinds for a good portion.)
2nd best is 1:47:23 (Queens ’05-the old, good course!!)
Best half last year was San Francisco-1:49:21 (very hilly course!!)
In terms of predictors for now…my Broad Street Run time predicts 1:42:55 (Broad Street being supah flat-just like the Philly course.) I ran that time on much lower mileage though…
My Club Champs 5M time predicts 1:46:30 (that race being hilly, hot and humid!)
One of the choices above I feel is very unrealistic, but I felt I had to put it in anyway.
My main goal for this race is sub-1:45…yet kinda dreaming of 1:42

Vote early. But do not vote often-I once again fixed it so certain people won’t try and stuff the ballot box *coughmozcough*

Thanks for playing!

it’s voting time!

time for a poll…

What should my profile picture be?
( surveys)

Disclaimer: I will NOT be using any Underwear Run pics and/or Lasker Pool/bikini pics, so don’t even suggest that…you know who you are