Dublin and NYC back-to-back

carlop

Hey there,

Found myself with an enviable dilemma that I'd love to get some advice on.

Every year my company gets an option on a limited number of places in the New York marathon and runs a lottery for employees. I applied, was unsuccessful and so decided to enter Dublin instead.

Last week, I got an email telling me someone had dropped out and that if I was still interested, I could register for NYC. While there's a fairly serious cost involved between fees, flights and accommodation, I absolutely couldn't turn it down as it's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Tl;dr, I'm now signed up for Dublin (Oct 30th) and New York (Nov 6th) and trying to decide on how to approach it. Initially my plan was to just not run Dublin and conserve myself for NYC, but there's a part of me that likes the challenge of completing both. However, I'd also set myself a goal for the year of going sub-4 for a marathon, and am struggling to think of any way I do that and still complete both.

Has anyone here ever found themselves in a similar position? Is it madness to try and run both in anything quicker than strolling pace?

For additional context, I've run one marathon (4.15 in Dublin 2014) and a couple of half-marathons (always 1.50 pace, most recently Conemara this year). My training this year has been interrupted by quite a few niggles (mostly down to bad footwear which I think i've now resolved) so my lsr is only up to 14.5 miles, which I ran today and felt quite good doing.

Cheers,

RayCun

If you run Dublin, you're going to walk New York.
Pick one

Chartsengrafs

If New York is a once in a lifetime opportunity like you say, do it and do it right. To do it somewhat comfortably, don't run Dublin. I wouldn't even consider it.

Krusty_Clown

New York baby! You can do Dublin next year.

robinph

If you think this year is your time for getting the time then do that in Dublin, then just have fun in NY and celebrate your PB from the week before.

If you want to get the time in NY then you have to not do Dublin at all.

youngrun

Know a guy who did Amsterdam and Dublin a week apart a few years ago ran two times in low 2.50s , but he has been pretty bollkocked since then and has hardly raced in the last 4 years. You could do it but you will probably be physically fcuiked and mentally burnt out for a long time after . maybe ok if you are pretty much full time at it and not racing one of them really hard ala Freddy or GOH otherwise NO !

yaboya1

If you've only got up to 14.5 miles on your LSR, trying to complete two marathons in 8 days is a recipe for disaster imo. Forget about Dublin and enjoy New York. Be conservative with your goal there too considering your lack of mileage.

The Davestator

Your training has been interrupted, so your chances of making the sub 4 look ambitious in either race so its a tough decision for you!

Like above, go hard in Dublin for sub 4, book yourself in for physio sessions all week and go enjoy New York in 5 hours ish.

Chartsengrafs

The Davestator wrote: »

Like above, go hard in Dublin for sub 4, book yourself in for physio sessions all week and go enjoy New York in 5 hours ish.

Being on your feet for five hours a week after a marathon sounds like hell, particularly as under-trained as the poster is. I just can't see how anyone could enjoy that but maybe that's just me!

average_runner

Do New york man, Dublin is a very good marathon, but it doesn't compare to New York.
New York just so much money behind it

carlop

Thanks for the replies everyone, a welcome sanity check! Consensus seems to be prioritise one and that would have to be New York, so I'll give Dublin a miss.

There's just too much of a risk that if I do Dublin, I won't make it to the start line in New York. New York also gives me an extra week of training which to be fair I probably need.

Now I just have to avoid the temptation to change my mind the morning of October 30th.

noelearly

carlop wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everyone, a welcome sanity check! Consensus seems to be prioritise one and that would have to be New York, so I'll give Dublin a miss.

There's just too much of a risk that if I do Dublin, I won't make it to the start line in New York. New York also gives me an extra week of training which to be fair I probably need.

Now I just have to avoid the temptation to change my mind the morning of October 30th.

How did it-they go??