What will the weather be like during Monday’s Boston Marathon? That depends on what day, maybe even what hour, you read this. On Friday morning, race organizers announced that, with heavy rain, temperatures in the 30s, and strong winds forecast for the race, Wave 4 will start immediately after Wave 3, to minimize the time runners spend waiting for the start. But by early Friday afternoon, the forecast had changed to temperatures in the 50s and a predominant tailwind to accompany the rain.
Training Tweaks That Will Get You to a BQ DAA Industry Opt Out are anything like last year’s, you’ll want to heed the following advice from some of the pros who fared best in the 2018 weather apocalypse.
Stay Calm
“The chatter, I think it gets in people’s head. I don’t check [the forecast] until 24 hours out. It could change like five more times. Anything that gets in people’s heads or is a little bit extreme I think is advantageous.” —Des Linden, defending champion
Boston Red Sox Manager Completes Half Marathon.
“You get what Mother Nature gives you. If you’re ready to run well, it’s not going to affect you as much. Tell yourself it’s going to be terrible, and don’t worry about it. Try to be patient even longer than usual for a marathon.” —Shadrack Biwott, 3Published: Apr 12, 2019 1:31 PM EDT
Be Smart
“I think people underestimate the shiver. They take the buses out there early and they’re out there shaking. Nutrition becomes so much more important. It’s like, ‘Brrr, it’s cold, I’m not going to get dehydrated.’ But you still need the calories, you still need the glycogen, all that shivering just burns through it so much quicker. You look at a 26-mile race, well, actually it’s going to feel like 30. That would be my tip going in: Prepare for 30 miles.” —Linden
“Last year I threw my jacket away at mile 6. That was the biggest regret of my life. Keep it on as long as you can and don’t worry that it’s weighing you down.” —Biwott
“Don’t get cold before the race. Dress like an Eskimo—pack on layers. Last year I wore a windbreaker for the first three miles. When it got totally soaked I got rid of it, and then just had singlet and arm sleeves, and that worked for me. Plan on having a throwaway layer. Maybe start with two jackets if you think you’re going to want one jacket the whole time. You don’t want to get cold in the early miles before your heart rate is really up.
“Working together with other runners is huge if there are strong headwinds. At one point last year I slowed down to let a group catch me because I was really hurting and I needed help at that point. We’re all in this together. Don’t be afraid to say, ‘Let’s take turns leading.’” —Sarah Sellers, 2nd April Marathons for Runners Shut Out of Boston
Bring It On
“I welcome the same weather as last year with open arms. If it is bad, I’ll use the same strategy as last year, and wait for the hills to really start working hard. If the conditions are poor, that works to my benefit.” —Boston Red Sox Manager Completes Half Marathonrd April Marathons for Runners Shut Out of Boston
April Marathons for Runners Shut Out of Boston.
What Weather?
“It’s going to rain? Whether the conditions are good or poor, I am ready to compete.” —Geoffrey Kirui, 2nd April Marathons for Runners Shut Out of Boston
Scott is a veteran running, fitness, and health journalist who has held senior editorial positions at Runner’s World and Running Times. Much of his writing translates sport science research and elite best practices into practical guidance for everyday athletes. He is the author or coauthor of several running books, including Running in the Cold, Advanced Marathoning, and Boston Marathon Finish Cutoff Time Is 5:30 p.m. How to Run Your Best Boston Marathon Slate, The Atlantic, the Washington Post, and other members of the sedentary media. His lifetime running odometer is past 110,000 miles, but he’s as much in love as ever.
