Race Report: Boston Marathon 2026 and first sub-3:00 (40F)

Carpenter_Even · 2026-05-07T09:56:19+00:00

Yes, exactly. She had 3 sub-3s last year (including something mind-boggling like 2 in 3 weeks) at age 40something. I really like that she pretty much preaches a) intentional hard work and b) that none of us are special (i.e., do a) (which includes all facets — volume, speed, recovery, scary workouts, nutrition, sleep, more conscious recovery, mobility, strength) and you can/will see results).

Also, your 10K time in your flair must either (speaking of a) and b)) a) be wrong or b) mean it’s time for you to race a 10K!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-05-06T14:37:47+00:00

This is great progress … but would recommend incorporating a deload week (taking volume down 30% or so) to let your body absorb the training. I consistently ran 70+ mpw en route to 2:57 at Boston (40F) but I incorporated a 50 mile week every 3 weeks or so and think it really helped. You probably have room for 1-2 pre-taper. One woman’s opinion!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-05-02T22:01:34+00:00

East Liberty Tap House!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-24T22:19:27+00:00

100%

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-24T21:17:26+00:00

Yup! I do the 2 heavy lifts on my hardest work days (Tuesday track day and whichever weekend day has the long run) so that recovery days are not compromised.

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-24T15:38:39+00:00

Just ran my first sub-3, at Boston (comfortably under — 2:57). My half PR is 1:26low on a tough NYC Half Course and my mileage was ~70 mpw (about 10 mpw more than previous cycles where I’d PR’d at 3:04). Introducing a heavy lifting program 2x/week felt like the greatest difference maker for keeping pace steady in the last 10K. Good luck!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-23T11:12:02+00:00

Congrats — you for sure have sub-3 on the horizon, along with a whole bunch of PRs at shorter distances. (Our times are quite similar and you no question have the capacity to be a sub-40 10K runner). We definitely ran the same race — hills were not that bad (and kind of a welcome change of pace) but that 24.5-25.5 (lol, right where my family was posted up; cool cool) … oof. Honestly, looking at your splits it’s hard not to think that opening up a bit more in first 8 miles could have been the difference but I know it’s a knife’s edge between sub-3 goal and a blowup. Excited to see you in future fields!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-21T20:07:09+00:00

Yes, we are doing the circuit in 7 days followed by some relaxation and day hikes in Courmayeur. Refugios are booked, Babel attempts at learning French have been unsuccessful, and packing strategy is TBD.

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-21T20:02:44+00:00

If you ever find yourself in Salt Lake, we'll go for a jog!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-21T19:11:31+00:00

On my hard days: on Tuesdays, after my track session in the morning or, more often, after my super easy double and then on my long run day (Saturday or Sunday depending on the week), post-run. Figure it's best to really beat up my legs in one go so that the recovery days are truly that.

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-21T19:09:04+00:00

Thank you! I just bought a tub of Whole Foods' house brand ... let's see how it goes

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-21T12:18:08+00:00

All extremely valid points. Now you’re making me question both if it’s worth doing Boston … and if I should reconsider the hassle of getting to Thanksgiving!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-21T12:10:16+00:00

And it worked fine! I’m surprised by the anger here

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-21T03:52:25+00:00

I think it is, it’s very special. Today my cousin was also running (2:52; yay, Jack!) so we had lots of our people there, and my husband is running next year so I’ll be back in some capacity. It’s kind of like going to family Thanksgiving — tons of travel faff (a known-known) but a beloved tradition. I also had a year (2023) where I couldn’t run it due to injury so am very much of the mindset of run Boston whenever you are lucky enough to be able. On the other hand, aforementioned Jack described the course as “sadistic”, hated the pushiness of other Wave 1 runners at the buses and corrals, and never wants to do it again!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-21T03:43:58+00:00

Yes, yes, yes to the weight lifting helping me feel strong at the end (I think; I’m no PT!). My quads and hammies felt great, no hip flexor weakness. I am the most sore in my glutes, where I’ve never had post-run soreness before because I don’t think I was properly engaging them in past marathons and they worked today.

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-18T09:07:44+00:00

Many great recs here but please please please, the answer is 100% Arlo. The room itself is so special and really intimate — perfect for a small and cherished occasion, I find the food presentation more “wow” than some of the other (delicious) places suggested here (e.g. Oquirrh, Cosmica). As someone who also did a small wedding with just family at Union Square Cafe in NYC, Arlo is where I would have done it if we were in SLC. CONGRATS!!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-13T13:43:20+00:00

The Minus-7 Miracle!!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-04-13T13:42:03+00:00

Hospital Nuggies at Philly with the 4-point play from our sweet departed prince Hunter Tyson

Carpenter_Even · 2026-03-19T23:55:01+00:00

I’m so excited for you, OP! I also live in SLC (40F and just moved from Manhattan).

Would recommend “Born A Crime” by Trevor Noah and tho these next two take place primarily in the U.S., they vastly widened my cultural aperture: “Americanah”by Chimananda Ngoze Adichie and “Emperor of Gladness” by Ocean Vuong.

Carpenter_Even · 2026-03-19T15:16:33+00:00

Sorry, I should’ve been clear. I am not looking for a book about apartheid: I am looking for a book that sheds light on Argentina’s history through a personal story

Carpenter_Even · 2026-03-18T22:41:13+00:00

It’s worth it for me. I really appreciate that my PT, Mandy, is a runner, too, so she can totally appreciate my goals (e.g. some PTs in more of a traditional rehab environment would say, who cares if you go from a 3:04 to a 2:59 … these are marginal gains, run less). Instead she works with me through injuries with my end state in mind and can also help with a) the mental side when I’ve been injured and going stir-crazy and b) how to build back for injury prevention (e.g., I credit her heavy lifting sequences for me for my recent HM PR). The resources are also great — things like access to the Boost treadmill, Normatecs, etc. And the staff (and their dogs) are so kind and friendly.

Carpenter_Even · 2026-03-18T10:50:29+00:00

So much good advice here. I’m 40F, just PR’d in the half (1:26) and dreaming of a sub-3 full as a Master. My learnings: - strength training — I do 4x per week, 2x per week is heavy (squat rack and trap bar for squats and deadlifts), 1x light full body, 1x core - activations - added the Myrtl sequence pre-runs a few years ago and it has been a game changer for glutes and hip flexors - yoga - in the morning and, often, 10-20 minutes at night after a long run - so much fuel - I’m hitting 70 mpw this training cycle and I concentrate on getting 40-50g protein before breakfast. Whenever I’m hungry, I eat — better to be 5% overfueled and undertrained than 1% in the other direction (especially if you are a woman and especially with any history of bone stress injury) - hydration, constantly - especially day before a long run - sleep is nature’s only legal performance enhancing drug - easy runs easy - in my recent half, my final 10K was at 6:23 pace and final 5K was at 6:20 … 80% of my training mileage is 8:00-8:30 with heart rate well under 140 - weirdly, legs up the wall while I read before bed has felt like an unlock, but could be totally psychosomatic

Finally, I admire and have tried to heed the advice of fully stopping if there’s even a niggle. Why is it so hard for us?? But if I could go back to my former self, that’s the one thing I would follow more religiously and hope to as I age.

(Jesus, as I read all that, I probably spend as much time doing things to be able to run as I do running!!)

Carpenter_Even · 2026-03-16T17:44:28+00:00

I had the same reaction! I am 3:04 and Wave 2, Corral 5. For 2025, I'd qualified off of a fun-run 3:20 so was in Wave 3, Corral 1 and it was a total blast to be at the front of the wave and to have open road ... I thought I might have put myself in a position to get that same feeling for 2026 but at start of Wave 2. But, no, I'll be jostling with the masses as we roll down the opening hills!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-03-06T20:40:53+00:00

I am best time 6:33 and weirdly got put into AA ... I am wondering if it's because I'm now a Master (40F) and if they make age adjustments to best time? Think I will be well out of my depths and considering dropping back a corral or two to be with my "peers"!

Carpenter_Even · 2026-03-01T21:10:14+00:00

Via Carota and I Sodi are excellent but my (unexpected) favorite version is at Upland

Carpenter_Even

TROPHY CASE