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Sep 2023
7:56am, 12 Sep 2023
3,251 posts
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B Rubble
I had a BQ for about 10 years. Decided to run it in 2020, COVID decided otherwise. Like Bazo my BQ (and marathon) days are in the past.
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Sep 2023
8:00am, 12 Sep 2023
6,482 posts
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Oscar the Grouch
No interest in overseas marathons
I would thoroughly recommend European marathons having done Paris, Rome, Prague, Amsterdam, Mallorca and Malta. Some of my happiest running memories and a great way to visit. Not necessarily conducive to good times if you do the tourist thing first!
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Sep 2023
8:03am, 12 Sep 2023
2,859 posts
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Big_G
I don’t think what a BQ means to American runners can be overemphasised. It’s easier than GFA I think for most/all age groups, but it’s a massive, massive thing. Even non runners on the metro on marathon weekend were talking about it, welcoming runners to the city etc. And the fact the majority of the race entrants are qualifiers makes it feel very, very different as well. I’d certainly happily go back. ‘Right on Hereford, left on Boylston’ and then going past the memorial for the bombings within metres of the finish line is something that will live with me forever and I was actually pretty emotional, just about holding it together.
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Sep 2023
8:07am, 12 Sep 2023
21,952 posts
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larkim
No interest in overseas marathons I would thoroughly recommend European marathons having done Paris, Rome, Prague, Amsterdam, Mallorca and Malta. Some of my happiest running memories and a great way to visit. Not necessarily conducive to good times if you do the tourist thing first!
I just find any trip where there's a race as part of it means I spend the whole time being guilty about dragging my family around and limiting what we do because of the race. I know I'm out of step with a lot of people though.
I'd quite happily do a weekend in Paris (or any other European city) and arrange for a few scenic run routes to be done by breakfast or similar (or maybe a parkrun), or perhaps book onto a "running tour" of the city, but the pressure of the race thing as a component part just leaves me cold.
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Sep 2023
8:13am, 12 Sep 2023
2,860 posts
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Big_G
Oscar, cross post, but I agree. Overseas events are a huge part of my running and are responsible for some of my happiest running memories, but I don’t worry or care about PBs or fast times for every event. Some are (or certainly were) very affordable as well, such as Marrakech and Sofia, both places probably I wouldn’t have visited without the marathon but I’m glad I did. Goes to show it takes all sorts I suppose 
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Sep 2023
8:27am, 12 Sep 2023
25,595 posts
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Bazoaxe
I did palma marathon twice and it was a great excuse for a family holiday in the school October break.
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Sep 2023
9:25am, 12 Sep 2023
3,252 posts
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B Rubble
My wife loved Palma Bazo (if you remember we went on your recommendation). The race went right past our hotel, so all she needed to do was get up wander to the side of the road to see me then go back for breakfast. It was a bit warm and undulating for a PB attempt though.
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Sep 2023
9:37am, 12 Sep 2023
25,596 posts
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Bazoaxe
I do recall you ran a great time despite conditions.
My two palma marathons were in my three slowest of all time along with my first ever marathon.
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Sep 2023
9:43am, 12 Sep 2023
21,953 posts
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larkim
For those of you that love overseas marathons, how do you deal with the pressure of performance?
I'm conscious that even getting to the start line of a marathon is a precarious business, and that would be doubled down on if I was doing it as the fundamental reason for a choice of an overseas trip.
And then I'd be paranoid about walking the fine line between getting the "best" performance out of myself, having a bad run (and it affecting the rest of the week). I couldn't justify just cruising around either as then there doesn't seem much point in even doing it.
Honestly, I'm interested in what is the "buzz" about an overseas race for a marathon - maybe I can persuade myself?
(If I was already going to somewhere on holiday with a long planned trip, and I happened to spot that there was a 10k or HM there, I might be tempted to do it because it wouldn't be so impactful on the rest of the trip).
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Sep 2023
9:50am, 12 Sep 2023
25,597 posts
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Bazoaxe
That’s a good question. Both of mine were gambles.
First time was only 11 weeks after a long injury lay off. It worked well as a well executed negative split.
Second time I picked up an injury two weeks out and should not have taken part. I almost didn’t due to an issue over my entry fee which I had to pay for a second time. I almost pulled out as I passed my hotel at 14 miles and ended up walking mostly from 19. That was a big mistake but was a great holiday.
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