Resident Head Coach of the Bandit x Asics Marathon Program is something of a marathon scientist himself. For Boston, he's taken his trusty protractor out, measured the hills and has 5 pieces of course specific a marathon wisdom advice to bestow before lining up on Marathon Monday:
Visualize the morning
Boston is a point to point race. Starting 26.2 miles away from the finish line on Boylston Street so more than most marathon mornings there’s a considerable journey from the city or surrounding neighborhood to the start, expect a pit of uneasiness until you’re insight of the starting banners and fellow runners. As these morning’s can often be filled with unexpected events plan to prepare your bag and every need the days or night before, wake early and have a plan to get there with plenty of time to spare.
Careful on the way down
The hills of the Boston Marathon course are talked about as the most prominent feature. They sure are tough but if you’re planning to strategize on something be sure to look to the downhill segments first. Running downhill at or below expected race pace asks your legs to brace the full weight of your body on each stride and will quickly deplete your ability to run the uphills. Specifically be careful the first 8 miles of the course, for best results plan to stay within your marathon goal pace. Don’t believe me? Consult the Boston Elevation Map into Google.
Consistent on the way up
With the right foresight you’ll reach the hills with confidence, mentally prepared and physically excited to switch muscles and push up and over them. Go on feel for each but keep in mind not to over extend yourself on the way up, the prize for getting through them as consistently and safely as possible is that the last 10k of the course drops a massive 200ft of elevation to the finish, that’s 35-40ft per mile.
Boston City Limits
Once you reach Boston and the last miles of the course, you’ll find the crowd 5-10 people deep on each side cheering you to the finish. Take each corner, underpass and angle with pride and enjoy the sweeping scenes of Patriots Day in Boston from the best seat in the house. From there, take the right on Hereford, Left on Boylston and embrace one of the most spectacular feelings in the sport. You’re a Boston Marathon finisher.
