I completed my journey to the NYC Marathon. During training I said I would never run another marathon again, but during the marathon I knew I would run one or two or ten more marathons. But, I want more than to just run, I want to BQ. For all those who don’t know what BQ means, it means to Boston Qualify. This is the illustrious race that all runners secretly covet. Qualifying times are strived for at every marathon and sometimes that is not enough. Now there are so many qualifiers it is the fastest of the fast that actually gain entry to this race and I want to be one of them.
So I am officially putting it out there!! My goal is to BQ by 40, which gives me three years. At this time the marathon qualifying time for my age group is 3:45, at 40 it is 3:50. Either way I have to shave more than an hour off my current marathon time. Is this possible??? I have no idea. Since I didn’t run for time for the NYC marathon I really am not sure whether a BQ is possible or not. SOOOOOO, I plan to run the LI Marathon on May 3rd for time, I am not sure what time, but hopefully somewhere between 4 hours & 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Once I see where my marathon time lies when I actually train for speed, then I will determine where my BQ dreams are headed. If it is not possible to qualify, then I will look into running the race for charity. Only time will tell.
I actually started my training for the LI Marathon this past Monday. I will be using Jess from Race Pace Wellness as my coach and with her help I hope to run an amazing race on May 3rd.
Do you think it is possible for me to BQ??
You go girl! I think it’s very admirable that you put your dream out there! I’ve run one marathon, to date, so I don’t think I can sit and offer any advice. But, I’d say that if you put the work in and probably get a coach, you can do it! As cliche as it is, anything is possible. I was also a “I’m never running another one,” here I am training for #2 and #3, two months apart! Go for it and see what happens… xoxo, ganeeban
ganeeban recently posted..Race Recap: Run to Feed the Hungry 2014
I have no doubt you will do it!! 🙂
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It’s hard to say what your capabilities are, but there is definitely a learning curve with the marathon. My first was a 4:10 and I eventually took almost 55 minutes off that time. It took me a couple years and about 8 marathons to get there. It’s a matter of focusing on the right training, finding a race that is fast, and, yes, a little luck.
One way to get an idea if you can BQ is to take a look at your race times at shorter distances. Use a McMillan chart to see the comparable times.
Since this is an older post, how did you do in your May marathon?
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I will have to check out that chart. I actually dropped out of the fall marathon due to a shoulder injury. I am now on track to run a fall marathon so we will see. I think I can do it if I really focus on my nutrition and training!
Anything is possible! Get it girl! I love that you can run for charity for Boston, too.
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Yes that will be an option if I can’t organically BQ.
I think you can do it! Better you than me 🙂 Good luck and happy training
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