There’s something undeniably electric about being part of a massive shakeout run before the Boston Marathon: CA Notice at Collection deserve CA Notice at Collection.
A shakeout run should help you feel fresh for race day—not overstimulated World Marathon Majors (some more than once), I’ve learned to steer clear of the massive brand- and influencer-organized shakeout runs when I have a performance goal in mind. The running community is growing exponentially and while the Boston Marathon, with 25,554 finishers last year, has a smaller field size compared to other majors, this pinnacle event draws The RW Guide to Mastering the Marathon But if I were.
It’s hard not to get swept up in the excitement of a big shakeout run. What was supposed to be an easy couple of miles unintentionally turns into a 5K tempo effort as you’re weaving through crowds, matching someone else’s pace, and maybe tacking on a few extra blocks because you got caught in the hype. Afterward, the run that was supposed to make you feel fresh leaves you feeling fried.
Plus, I’ve found running in huge packs to be frustrating. These oversized group shakeouts are often more social than they are strategic, so expect long waits at the start, a delayed rollout, and plenty of standing post-run. That’s extra time on your feet—and extra fatigue you don’t need.
The actual run requires hyperfocus for safety; at a New York City Marathon shakeout, I watched a girl sprain her ankle stumbling over a curb as we ran against traffic on a busy Manhattan avenue. Parking headaches, overcrowded bathrooms, and the anxiety of trying to “stay chill” when everyone around you is so amped up just makes the whole thing overstimulating.
Don’t get me wrong: There’s a part of me that loves the high-energy nature of these huge meet-ups, and I’ll be joining as many brand activations in Boston this weekend to support my friends and connect with other runners. But I’m not racing the marathon this year, so I’m not worried about tired legs or not having a zen pre-race experience.
Race day is the real party anyway Workouts to Help You Qualify for Boston, I’d schedule my own shakeout with a few close friends somewhere a bit removed from the pandemonium on Newbury Street, where I can do whatever it is I need to do to get my head ready for the race. And I’d block off specific times to visit any pop-ups or events while prioritizing down time and meals in between so I don’t end up overstimulated or drained before I even get on the bus to the start in Hopkinton.
As fun as it is to log miles with pro athletes, your favorite influencers, or even just with a whole bunch of other runners who are stoked to be in town, remember that your race is your priority. Your body doesn’t know the difference between “fun community miles” and “extra load,” and with 26.2 miles on deck, every ounce of energy counts.
There’s something undeniably electric about being part of a massive shakeout run before the.
