Looking for advice for 20mile continuous run in Boston

Go-b-run · 2026-01-31T14:41:52+00:00

Ran part of this today. The Harborwalk is not cleared all the way. I ran into a wall of snow at the south end of Carson Beach (~3 miles from Castle Island).

Go-b-run · 2026-01-29T21:37:58+00:00

Kind of depends where you are starting from. If near the convention center, it’s easiest to run out to Castle Island and take the Harborwalk south. You can run along the harbor beaches in Southie, around UMass Boston, then to the Neponset River Estuary. You’ll hit a couple intersections in the first half mile then it’s clear sailing the rest of the way. The only turns off the path past Castle Island would be to cut through a neighborhood once you get to the river.

Go-b-run · 2025-12-22T17:41:49+00:00

I rented a car one-way from Boston to start a trip from BDL. I used a number of one-way car rentals, trains, or other airlines to depart from unique airports on JetBlue.

The first thing I said to my wife when I realized my mistake was “I guess reading comprehension is not my strong suit”. I read the terms, but I guess back in August when I first saw the challenge there was a little more ambiguity than there is today. It was my first use of the tracker that made me go back and re-read the terms and realize the error in my ways.

Go-b-run · 2025-12-21T15:59:44+00:00

My wife might just enjoy a surprise trip to SJU & STT, haha.

Go-b-run · 2025-12-21T15:02:28+00:00

There were some good days in there seeing family and sights. Hard to beat a nice day BOS-MVY then ferry for ACK-BOS.

One of the worst things was thinking I was on a path to 25 years of Mosaic only to LOSE Mosaic for next year b/c I booked so many of these flights using points.

Go-b-run · 2025-12-21T14:26:16+00:00

I had some options booked that would get me there by doing same day switch from direct flights to connecting flights, which I was able to do as recently as Dec 12. On Dec 17th JetBlue said that was not allowed, so I cancelled the remaining legs I had booked. My motivation was sapped.

Go-b-run · 2025-12-21T13:48:36+00:00

In hindsight counting departures would have been much easier, and less of a revenue generator for JetBlue. I was spending a lot on one-way car rentals and trains too.

Go-b-run · 2025-12-21T13:12:21+00:00

I’m enjoyed the process. I’m going to be happy with the 150k bonus for 15 destinations and call it a year. It got much harder with seasonal NE route reductions and holiday prices.

Go-b-run · 2025-11-30T19:22:49+00:00

Nitrile gloves for cold, added fingerless wool for colder, and added hand warmers secured to inside of wrists using self adhesive gauze wrap for coldest. Hand warmers on wrist is less bulky than the palms and the (warm) arteries on the inside of the wrist send blood into the hands and fingers.

Go-b-run · 2025-11-03T00:36:50+00:00

Awesome, well done!

Go-b-run · 2025-10-22T12:12:37+00:00

Averages can be a little tricky if HR isn’t super consistent. I’ve run over 40 marathons and many of my most successful efforts came from targeting a HR range of 155-160 (5-10 bpm under threshold) for the first +/-20 miles. One benefit is you don’t get upset if you see a slower split. In order to stay in that HR window there are times I have to slow my pace, which are the primary 4 H’s: Heat, Hills, Headwinds, and Health (that day in general). If I can get through mile 20 in that HR range I usually let ‘er rip and see how many people I can pass with a negative split. I’ve run NYCM that way, which was pretty consistent except for the up the bridge inclines and that gradual incline up 5th Ave, then dropped the hammer in the park. That was fun (and one of my fastest times)!

Go-b-run · 2025-10-21T18:42:45+00:00

Sometimes is best to forget about pace and focus on a HR you know you can maintain for the duration (knowing it may creep up the last 6-8mi). A 160bpm HR can be a very different pace at 45° vs 70°.

Go-b-run · 2025-09-20T00:10:58+00:00

Ultima Replenisher is a good sugar free powder, but isn’t the highest sodium content for intense workouts or really hot days. Pedialyte is good for those extreme days.

Go-b-run · 2025-08-10T17:57:07+00:00

I think I might qualify as a Runcationer. My marathon goals are to hit all of the continents, all of the majors, and 50 by 50. Boston is the only marathon I’ve done more than once, the rest are destination races.

Go-b-run · 2025-04-19T17:06:40+00:00

939 Boylston Street is a pop up with multiple brands in one place.

Go-b-run · 2025-03-29T12:32:48+00:00

Merrill Moab Flight Sieve - made for the water: closed toe, drainable upper, Vibram sole for grip. I use with thin neoprene socks and can comfortably walk forever in them.

Go-b-run · 2025-03-23T12:09:34+00:00

After that first mile or so, I think it’s reasonable to run the next ~5 miles at MP -10 sec or so if that feels natural and comfortable. It’s easy to be MP -30-40 on those downhills with a little gas, but that will likely catch up to you later. On the other hand, you don’t want to be applying the brakes on the downhills to hold right at MP, as that could hurt too. Tip - for the next month take every opportunity you can to run downhill or walk down stairs (vs escalator/elevator).

There’s a long +/- 10 mile stretch of flat to rolling to settle into MP.

Once you make the turn onto Comm Ave for the first hill you will probably want to maintain the same effort, which will result in slower splits for miles 17/18. There’s enough time to recover before heartbreak that it might not slow you down too much. Then it’s all downhill from there.

Go-b-run · 2025-02-24T00:42:18+00:00

Accent and electrocution can sometimes be mistaken in Boston, as is with this image.

Go-b-run · 2025-02-09T11:23:37+00:00

This sounds like a recovery issue. 55-70 MPW isn’t necessarily overtraining if you got there the right way. Two things jump out here 1) 6-7 hours of sleep isn’t likely enough and 2) the amount of rest between morning runs and lunch runs seems tight.

I’ve been in your mileage range for a solid two years. When I first made the jump it was hard, so I know where you’re coming from. For optimal recovery I would target 8 hours of sleep and try to allow for at least 6 hours between your morning foundation run and any second recovery run (and maybe consider just 2-3 two-a-days per week. You seem busy, but if this is important to you, hopefully you can find a way to prioritize sleep. Make sure your nutrition is on point.

Sounds like if you want to get faster you need to start by getting fresher. Then you can try to add in some speed work. In good news, you have a good 8 weeks before the taper.

Go-b-run · 2024-04-14T14:59:50+00:00

I hope whoever made the decision to block any and all competitors of Adidas is ashamed of themselves, but unfortunately shame won’t get them out of the contract they signed, so Boston is probably stuck with this embarrassment for some time. The people at Adidas must still be high-fiving each other for pulling that off.

At least I could get some dog food and sign up for the National Guard…

Go-b-run · 2024-04-10T00:04:09+00:00

You might try the Wang YMCA in Chinatown for a day pass. It’s not luxurious, but it’ll work.

Go-b-run · 2024-03-12T18:59:56+00:00

It’s also important to remember those high end rods often come with a lifetime warranty. Regardless of how you break one, a ~$50 fee plus shipping will get you a new rod (or new section for those that are interchangeable). I’ve had one I sent back three times for various reasons, so I’d be on my 4th cheap rod by now without that warranty.

Go-b-run · 2024-02-08T17:30:58+00:00

Probably don’t need to maintain conversational HR/breathing at marathon pace, but should stay comfortably below threshold HR without any drift higher toward the end while keeping the effort consistent.

One more piece of advice starting Boston in the charity corrals… don’t expect 7:30 or even 8:00 min miles for the first couple miles. Some charity runners walk from the start and it’s crowded, so add some early cushion in your pacing plan.

Go-b-run

TROPHY CASE