What is the best plan to lower HR for longer distance running? (For me longer distance is about 6+ miles) Do speed runs?

maroonpivo said:

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What is the best plan to lower HR for longer distance running? (For me longer distance is about 6+ miles) Do speed runs?

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Speedwork does seem to help, along with:
Running slower for long runs, and/or incorporating walking intervals at a specific ratio
Limiting elevation/avoiding lots of hills
Cooler temps (cries in Texan)
Managing breathing

I guess it also depends on why you want the lower HR. Do you feel like your HR is "too high" for the pace you're running? What is your current and what is your goal?

I ran a half earlier this month and HR was 165 and my pace was 9:38 which was a slow pace for me. For the Hou half my pace was 9:03 and HR was 161. My daily runs are usually 154ish even when I'm taking it easy.

How are you measuring hr?

Just Apple Watch, about to invest in garmin

It's always possible you're watch isn't reporting HR and it's actual cadence lock.

Either way, the only thing to do, if you trust the HR is to slow down further.

Not even worth it to put into NYC Marathon lottery anymore. 240k entries and they are only taking around 2500-3000 runners from the lottery. That makes absolutely zero sense in my book.

Out of 55,000 entries. The majority are coming from international tour operators, charity entries and 9+1.

In 2025 data released said 14,000 went to ITOs and 8-12,000 for 9+1. Then around 5-6k for the time qualifiers.

Where the **** do the rest of the entries come from

wangus12 said:

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Not even worth it to put into NYC Marathon lottery anymore. 240k entries and they are only taking around 2500-3000 runners from the lottery. That makes absolutely zero sense in my book.

Out of 55,000 entries. The majority are coming from international tour operators, charity entries and 9+1.

In 2025 data released said 14,000 went to ITOs and 8-12,000 for 9+1. Then around 5-6k for the time qualifiers.

Where the **** do the rest of the entries come from

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Estimating for 2026:

9+1 Program: 22,000
International Tour Operators: 13,000
Charity Partners:12,000
Time Qualifiers / Elite: 6,000
Lottery (NYC/National/Intl): ~2,500
Legacy / Deferred / Sponsors: 4,000

Prince_Ahmed said:

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wangus12 said:

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Not even worth it to put into NYC Marathon lottery anymore. 240k entries and they are only taking around 2500-3000 runners from the lottery. That makes absolutely zero sense in my book.

Out of 55,000 entries. The majority are coming from international tour operators, charity entries and 9+1.

In 2025 data released said 14,000 went to ITOs and 8-12,000 for 9+1. Then around 5-6k for the time qualifiers.

Where the **** do the rest of the entries come from

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Estimating for 2026:

9+1 Program: 22,000
International Tour Operators: 13,000
Charity Partners:12,000
Time Qualifiers / Elite: 6,000
Lottery (NYC/National/Intl): ~2,500
Legacy / Deferred / Sponsors: 4,000

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6,000 time qualifiers is criminal

Does this mean I can get into any major marathon if I book a spot with an International Tour company? Is that how that works?

Ags2013 said:

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Prince_Ahmed said:

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wangus12 said:

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Not even worth it to put into NYC Marathon lottery anymore. 240k entries and they are only taking around 2500-3000 runners from the lottery. That makes absolutely zero sense in my book.

Out of 55,000 entries. The majority are coming from international tour operators, charity entries and 9+1.

In 2025 data released said 14,000 went to ITOs and 8-12,000 for 9+1. Then around 5-6k for the time qualifiers.

Where the **** do the rest of the entries come from

---

Estimating for 2026:

9+1 Program: 22,000
International Tour Operators: 13,000
Charity Partners:12,000
Time Qualifiers / Elite: 6,000
Lottery (NYC/National/Intl): ~2,500
Legacy / Deferred / Sponsors: 4,000

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6,000 time qualifiers is criminal

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The 22,000 9+1s is the criminal one. The time qualifiers are more difficult than Boston.

I meant that it's criminal that they only let 6,000 in. I was seeing people beat the cut off by 15 minutes that were rejected

AggieOO said:

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Ags2013 said:

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Prince_Ahmed said:

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wangus12 said:

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Not even worth it to put into NYC Marathon lottery anymore. 240k entries and they are only taking around 2500-3000 runners from the lottery. That makes absolutely zero sense in my book.

Out of 55,000 entries. The majority are coming from international tour operators, charity entries and 9+1.

In 2025 data released said 14,000 went to ITOs and 8-12,000 for 9+1. Then around 5-6k for the time qualifiers.

Where the **** do the rest of the entries come from

---

Estimating for 2026:

9+1 Program: 22,000
International Tour Operators: 13,000
Charity Partners:12,000
Time Qualifiers / Elite: 6,000
Lottery (NYC/National/Intl): ~2,500
Legacy / Deferred / Sponsors: 4,000

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6,000 time qualifiers is criminal

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The 22,000 9+1s is the criminal one. The time qualifiers are more difficult than Boston.

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NYRR had an all-time record of 81,447 members as of September 2025. And in 2025, over 11k runners completed 9 races, plus there's the multi-year deferred backlog of people who earned a spot in 2024. So everyone from 2025 claims their spot (to at least hold it), plus 10k people who qualified in 2024 who canceled their 2025 race.

I wanted to put in a plug for my business here in the Austin area. I work with a good amount of runners in my practice and offer high speed run analysis and custom orthotics as well. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the Texags community over the years.

If anyone is in need of physical therapy, I would be glad to help. I offer a nice discount to Texags members.

Axiompt.com
512-808-3904

gcracker13 said:

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Does this mean I can get into any major marathon if I book a spot with an International Tour company? Is that how that works?

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Only the ones not in the US. If you live here, you can't use them

One thing I've noticed is the amount of charities involved now is multiplied by like 20. Used to not be a lot, but now there seem to be 100+ charities

Well officially got my rejection email. Makes me 0 for I can't remember.....

Prince_Ahmed said:

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AggieOO said:

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Ags2013 said:

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Prince_Ahmed said:

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wangus12 said:

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Not even worth it to put into NYC Marathon lottery anymore. 240k entries and they are only taking around 2500-3000 runners from the lottery. That makes absolutely zero sense in my book.

Out of 55,000 entries. The majority are coming from international tour operators, charity entries and 9+1.

In 2025 data released said 14,000 went to ITOs and 8-12,000 for 9+1. Then around 5-6k for the time qualifiers.

Where the **** do the rest of the entries come from

---

Estimating for 2026:

9+1 Program: 22,000
International Tour Operators: 13,000
Charity Partners:12,000
Time Qualifiers / Elite: 6,000
Lottery (NYC/National/Intl): ~2,500
Legacy / Deferred / Sponsors: 4,000

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6,000 time qualifiers is criminal

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The 22,000 9+1s is the criminal one. The time qualifiers are more difficult than Boston.

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NYRR had an all-time record of 81,447 members as of September 2025. And in 2025, over 11k runners completed 9 races, plus there's the multi-year deferred backlog of people who earned a spot in 2024. So everyone from 2025 claims their spot (to at least hold it), plus 10k people who qualified in 2024 who canceled their 2025 race.

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Is there a cap on how many NYRR running get in via the 9+1? That number is outrageous.

I'll grit my teeth at the International Tour number... but I get it. This is an international race.

Rejection is in.

Rejected

Still waiting - in the boroughs - thought I'd get rejection or the pending charge by now. I know my third year I was charged at 630 eastern once. So until rejected, there's always hope!

And hope is gone at 4:32pm

Rejected again

Owen Kellogg said:

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Prince_Ahmed said:

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AggieOO said:

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Ags2013 said:

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Prince_Ahmed said:

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wangus12 said:

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Not even worth it to put into NYC Marathon lottery anymore. 240k entries and they are only taking around 2500-3000 runners from the lottery. That makes absolutely zero sense in my book.

Out of 55,000 entries. The majority are coming from international tour operators, charity entries and 9+1.

In 2025 data released said 14,000 went to ITOs and 8-12,000 for 9+1. Then around 5-6k for the time qualifiers.

Where the **** do the rest of the entries come from

---

Estimating for 2026:

9+1 Program: 22,000
International Tour Operators: 13,000
Charity Partners:12,000
Time Qualifiers / Elite: 6,000
Lottery (NYC/National/Intl): ~2,500
Legacy / Deferred / Sponsors: 4,000

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6,000 time qualifiers is criminal

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The 22,000 9+1s is the criminal one. The time qualifiers are more difficult than Boston.

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NYRR had an all-time record of 81,447 members as of September 2025. And in 2025, over 11k runners completed 9 races, plus there's the multi-year deferred backlog of people who earned a spot in 2024. So everyone from 2025 claims their spot (to at least hold it), plus 10k people who qualified in 2024 who canceled their 2025 race.

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Is there a cap on how many NYRR running get in via the 9+1? That number is outrageous.

I'll grit my teeth at the International Tour number... but I get it. This is an international race.

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There's no cap. They do limit the volunteer shifts (the "+1" in the 9+1), which effectively limits the category a bit. But it's kind of like the old rule to require guaranteed admission to those in the top 10% of their class to state schools in Texas. Eventually that fully saturated university systems and they reduced the allotment (like tu did, limiting those admitted as a function of their high school ranking to 75% of total admissions).

Sounds like they need to put a cap on that number as they're taking up almost half the field now.

wangus12 said:

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One thing I've noticed is the amount of charities involved now is multiplied by like 20. Used to not be a lot, but now there seem to be 100+ charities

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There are 670+ charities in the Official Charity Partner Program.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/2026-tcs-new-york-city-marathon-drawing-day-sees-record-240000-applicants-for-50th-anniversary-race/articleshow/129042801.cms?from=mdr

I was blessed to run NYC in 2024 (lottery) and Chicago in 2023 (time qualifier). Amazing experiences - just keep trying because you never know. I'm chasing Boston now - I ran a BQ at Houston this year but only got under the qualifying standard by just over 3 minutes which likely won't be enough. Talk about heartbreak - technicially qualifying but likely not by enough. I'm doing another marathon next month in the hopes of shaving off another minute or two and improving my chances of getting into Boston 2027. The journey and anticipation is all part of the fun. Just keep running!

Does anyone have a favorite non-major? I ran San Antonio this past year but don't want to do that one again this year.

Ags2013 said:

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Does anyone have a favorite non-major? I ran San Antonio this past year but don't want to do that one again this year.

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Favorite in what sense? For time? Atmosphere and location?

Probably atmosphere and location - I'm not personally chasing BQ

Ags2013 said:

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Probably atmosphere and location - I'm not personally chasing BQ

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I'd pick a city/state you want to visit and go from there.

A couple of highlights for me would include Twin Cities and Anchorage Marathons.

crowag said:

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I was blessed to run NYC in 2024 (lottery) and Chicago in 2023 (time qualifier). Amazing experiences - just keep trying because you never know. I'm chasing Boston now - I ran a BQ at Houston this year but only got under the qualifying standard by just over 3 minutes which likely won't be enough. Talk about heartbreak - technicially qualifying but likely not by enough. I'm doing another marathon next month in the hopes of shaving off another minute or two and improving my chances of getting into Boston 2027. The journey and anticipation is all part of the fun. Just keep running!

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I'm glad I ran the "big" ones before things got crazy. I ran NYC, Chicago (twice), MCM, and Boston, but did all of those prior to 2010.

I have a friend who splits time between Texas and Washington state. Him and his lady friend both ran NYC last year on the 9+1, traveling back and forth to get in all the required races.

Ags2013 said:

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Probably atmosphere and location - I'm not personally chasing BQ

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i love small races, but those don't appeal to a lot of folks. Poconos Marathon was great. Did that one twice. Marathon 2 Marathon in west texas is a lot of fun, but its "lonely" during the race. Minocqua Marathon in WI was a lot of fun, mix of roads and rail to trail.

Dallas, houston, and Austin are all a good time but I guess as I've gotten older, I prefer less crowds.

My wife said she wanted to visit Philly this year so I convinced her to go Marathon weekend. Philadelphia Marathon here I come!

Ags2013 said:

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My wife said she wanted to visit Philly this year so I convinced her to go Marathon weekend. Philadelphia Marathon here I come!

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Philly is supposed to be a really good one! Have a bunch of friends that have done that one.

Ags2013 said:

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My wife said she wanted to visit Philly this year so I convinced her to go Marathon weekend. Philadelphia Marathon here I come!

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I am also running Philadelphia this year.