SUB-3 MARATHON ATTEMPT: Boston Marathon (UK) 2024

I head to the Boston Marathon (UK) for my first sub 3-hour marathon attempt. Can I nail it on my first go? There's only 1 way to find out! Episode 27 of my sub-3 marathon training series...
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[@raleyadventures]

Still a cracking time considering the conditions, you'll get it one day definitely 🔥🔥 Always have your head up 🤜🤜

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks Ryan!

[@MarcusChester]

Well done. It's a tough day out in that part of the world. It's so flat and exposed. You'll be back for the next one.

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks Marcus. Yeah, I knew what I was signing up for… although didn’t quite think it would be that 😂 And yep, always positive things to take from difficult experiences - onwards!

[@doughnutsish]

An entertaing watch, even for a non runner and nice to see a couple of my pictures in there. I think I was almost as wet and cold as you. It was brutal and there isn't any shelter out in those Fens. Any other sports event and I would have packed up much earlier! Well done and I will be following your progress.

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks David, appreciate the comment and the photos - hopefully I got all the credits correct! Yes I would rather be running than spectating/working, let’s just put it that way!

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks David, appreciate the comment and the photos - hopefully I got all the credits correct! Yes I would rather be running than spectating/working, let’s just put it that way!

[@georgecorbett9322]

I finished only a few seconds in front of you. What challenging conditions they were! Good luck in the future and I'll be following your channel.

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks George! Well done on a strong finish… more than I could muster 😅

[@edwardaustin6410]

Enjoy watching your videos. I guess that’s what they call hitting the wall. Back to training and I’m sure the experience will help you get your goal. Good luck

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks Edward 😊 Do you know what, as strange as it sounds, I’m not completely sure that was it - although I reckon nutrition (not enough) definitely played a part in my massive drop off. Something to unpick in my next video when I do a recap! And 100% a worthwhile experience 👍🏼

[@ingagade951]

Well Nick You did a try and came trough it in a very decent way I think you can do a sub 3 marathon later just in the right conditions. So congrates from me dear friend. Many many congrates for your journy out in the unknown conditions that appears from time to time and the weather we cannot control but other things we can. Inga DK.

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks Inga, much appreciated!

[@Toomuchmoneyrunner]

It was horrendous, I've never run a marathon like it. I was also on for 3ish until about 18 miles but you did better than me as I quit at 21. I'm about 10 metres behind you in one of the pics!

[@nrg_runs]

100% - such a brutal race. Ah no, sorry to hear, but well done for sticking it out as long as you did. There will be other days 👍🏼

[@TimGrose]

That looked tough but well done for giving it a very good go. Hope for better weather in Abingdon.

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks Tim, appreciate it. My sixth marathon and never experienced weather like that! And yes, fingers crossed 😅

[@markg99]

Congratulations on the PB! Better luck with the next attempt. That cramp sounds like a nightmare.

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks Mark, appreciate it! And yeah, it was a bit - although I think my body seizing up was something else… something to unpick in my recap video 😅

[@Ligerpride]

Well done.

[@nrg_runs]

Thank you!

[@hrdyplesoun]

Agh .. such horrific weather. It was painful to watch even from the warmth of my home.😅 Mad respect you finished it .. Fall is coming and you will definitely break the SUB3 barrier! 💪

[@nrg_runs]

Cheers, appreciate the comment and the faith 😊 It’s actually quite nice to have this as a reminder of just how bad the weather was! So many flooded roads, too 😫 Hopefully I can do it in October with a proper marathon training block - but regardless I know I’m heading in the right direction 🙌🏼

[@hrdyplesoun]

@@nrg_runs btw I dont know if you remember but a few weeks back I commented here that I'm gonna attempt also SUB3 in Prague ... long story short .. I could make it this Sunday (2:54:16 finish time :)) but it wasn't as easy as I expected :D ... honest to say that I was able to improve my Half marathon PB to 1:18 (four weeks before the marathon (previous PB 1:23 in October 2023)) so I was in very good shape to break it!

[@nrg_runs]

@@hrdyplesoun Ah that’s amazing - huge congrats! How was Prague as a race? That is a brilliant half marathon time - I may well need to get closer to that mark to translate my fitness into a sub-3… but time will tell!

[@hrdyplesoun]

@@nrg_runs Prague is not the fastest course but very beautiful ... little windy at the end ... since 31km I was fighting with cramps so needed to ease the pace, fortunately, they didn't catch me in full swing ... 4min positive splits (lost in last 7km) .. so classic marathon :D

[@nrg_runs]

@@hrdyplesounSounds tough, huge respect for getting it done and managing the cramps to the end 💪🏼 You think 4-minute positive split is bad? Try 14 minutes 😂 (Not that it’s a competition, of course!)

[@SharaRuns]

A PB is a PB. Well done

[@nrg_runs]

Amen to that! Thank you 😊

[@PoetWithPace]

Blimey Nick, that was tough! You are certainly in better shape and I ran 3:02 at Manchester. Whilst Boston is more flat you are at the mercy of the weather and I know if you ran at Manchester you would have gone sub 3. But a PB is a PB 🏆

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks Donato - watched your Manchester video, you ran so well! I’m not being negative, but I’m not so sure - I’ve got the speed, but basically tried to turn a half marathon plan into a marathon block and fell short. Anyway, something to unpick in my next video, but I appreciate the comment. And yes, a PB is a PB 🙌🏼

[@PoetWithPace]

@@nrg_runs do you have a coach Nick? Happy to help out if you want.

[@nrg_runs]

@@PoetWithPace I don’t currently, although plan for the marathon was to either put together my own plan based around previous training/core principles and then share with a couple of coaches I know for feedback… OR do a Hansen plan. Thanks for the offer, very kind - will be in touch if I’m looking for more support 😊

[@mattg9366]

You said it was brutal and man it looked brutal! Amazing effort to be on the pace to 21 miles in those conditions. You can tell just how much you put into that and just how broken you are at the end. Huge respect. A PB in these circumstances is incredible and there's no question that the whole experience - physical and mental - will have been a massive deposit into the training bank that you will draw out with interest come the Autumn. That sub 3 is just on ice and it's now going to taste even sweeter when it comes...

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks Matt, appreciate the comment and your thoughts - 100% agree it has been a valuable experience! And yeah also nice to have this as a reminder of just how brutal it was 😂

[@ulshark]

I was aiming for a GFA for london aged 50. On track to half way but the relentless headwind for the last 5 miles scuppered it for me (and those puddles!). Ended up with 3:20. Still a PB by 22 minutes though so can't complain. Just need to do it all again in October...

[@nrg_runs]

Yep, sounds familiar! Well done for getting it done. Tempted by Abingdon… ?

[@ulshark]

@@nrg_runs Looking more like the Yorkshire Marathon for me I think.

[@nrg_runs]

@@ulshark Oh nice! I did that in 2022. Great race - although there’s a few hills in that one that can be a challenge (well, they were for me!). Still, lots of people have run really well there 😊

[@ingagade951]

Enjoy life Nick. Sometimes it dont go your way sometimes it does. Just keep on fighting. Inga DK.

[@nrg_runs]

Absolutely. Love this!

[@fastboy64]

Great watch Nick - overall obviously a fab w/end. A few comments - the one and only time I have cramped in a race was a half marathon in Malta in what can only be described as a biblical storm - cold, wet surface water is not good for calves! You shouldn't apologise for lack of in-race footage - in fact what on earth are you doing wasting vital energy & focus when you should be all-in concentrating on your rhythm and race strategy. Maybe save the filming for pre and post race at Abingdon. We want to celebrate your success, not worry about a lack of in-race footage. Finally, you need to try and work out what caused the dramatic fall-off in pace - was it the cramping & conditions or did you feel you just lacked the strength endurance? This will determine how you best prepare for Abingdon. Very well done though, 3:14 and a PB in those conditions is a BIG positive take-away!

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks David, interesting insight. I’ve cramped up in various conditions now - I do wonder if it’s both a nutrition and a strength issue. I didn’t find the filming too obstructive, but I take your point. I didn’t record at all in the second half for that reason, until after I’d cramped/stiffened up and was effectively running east pace. Yes lots to unpick - going to get into it for my next video so would interested to hear your take on my take 😊

[@FreeLancerLondon]

Fantastic run and well earned PB under horrendous conditions. I heard Paula Radcliffe say the halfway point of a marathon is at mile 20! Congratulations 👏🎉 to you and all your team mates.

[@nrg_runs]

Thanks for the lovely comment 😊 And yeah I said that in my last video - so I basically managed less than 1 mile of proper tough times before I broke 😂

[@FreeLancerLondon]

@@nrg_runs I ran the St. Clare Hospice 10k recently after a virus infection and I broke after 7k . The last three k were awful. The 60 minutes pace maker left me in his dust 😞 What you have achieved is terrific 👍 Onward to Hatfield Broad Oak later this month for me when I should do better 🤞🙏

[@nrg_runs]

@@FreeLancerLondon Oh that does not sound fun - 10k is a tough distance to race, never mind with a virus! Good luck for Hatfield Broak Oak - won’t be this year, but I would like to do that one 😊 And thanks, very kind!

[@barryleslie7727]

I’ll be interested to see how you coped with the conditions. I was on track for a 3:18 marathon but the cold, wet on my skin drenched feet just sapped the energy from me and I started to slow down considerably. Because the carbon plates in my shoes are supposed to be springy at speed, they then instead became unsupportive and my feet were hammered through the last half. I’d resolved that I wasn’t going to get what I’d trained for but was delighted my final time was 3:31. I’d missed it by 13 minutes. There’ll be another time but at the moment I’m going to concentrate on my upcoming 50k ultra race

[@nrg_runs]

Well I won’t spoil it for you… but can confirm the weather and conditions were atrocious! 😄 Well done Barry, that is an awesome first marathon race - huge congrats! Sorry that the second half didn’t go to plan, but I’m sure you can take plenty away from it. Good luck for your ultra - what one are you doing?

[@3orpSoida89]

Cracking time in those conditions. Sub 3 will come

[@nrg_runs]

Thank you, appreciate the faith!