I like the idea of having qualifying times for the Boston Marathon. Sometimes, I wonder if the only reason I want to run it so bad is because they won't let me run it. (I also want to run the More Marathon and they won't let me run that one either!) But I like it because it gives the unwashed masses, who may never qualify for the Olympic Trials, or any elite events, something to aim for. Things like this, and age-group awards, go a long way towards promoting fitness in the average Johnny Punchclock and Sally Homemaker. I posed the question to Jon Warren in my email interview about whether or not the average person is physically capable of a BQ marathon time, but I think my underlying question was, "Should I bother trying?"
As of this morning, I've done one marathon, in around 5 hours and 23 minutes, so running a 3:10 marathon is more than a little rediculous, but in all honesty, I do think I might be able to qualify someday. I believe I was in shape last year to finish around 4:30, but had some foot problems going in, and I limped through the last half of the race, but 4:30 is still nowhere near BQ time. Sometimes, I try to deny it, but my body does seem to be capable of adaptation to training, and during a period of solid training last year, I even managed a 5 miler in 38:18 (don't laugh - I think that's fast). So, with some more years under my belt, and the extra time in qualifying that comes with it, maybe I can do it.
I've shed many of my self destructive impulses in the last few years, and have even flirted with self discipline every now and then. Grown-ups have such a huge advantage over children when it comes to discipline and consistency, and I'm still getting the hang of this grown-up thing. ;)
So, should I bother trying? Sure, why not, what else am I gonna do? But first things first. I've gone through phases of solid training, and solid slacking - the most recent being from the time of the NYCM to mid February or so. I've improved a lot in the last 8 weeks, and I've lost about 15 pounds, but I need several more months of consistency before I can run a solid marathon to even know where I'm starting from. So that's my goal for the year, stay injury free and run a solid marathon, which I think can be somewhere around 4:20 or so later this year.
Chatting with some training partners about what races we plan to run for our run at the TMC, we still have no idea which race will be first, and only two races, seem to be definite : the Sunmart 50K and the Houston Marathon.
What about you? Is Boston a big deal for you? Do you have a date with Heartbreak Hill in your future?
Rock on.
Keith.
3 comments:
The beard would have to go and you'd have to shave your legs, but you know ... a wig here, something a little underneath ... and you could run the More Marathon.
Just don't be spotted going in the men's blue can!
Hey Keith, I just watched the movie Saint Ralph tonight. So of course we will run it someday. I'm in to run a 4:20 marathon with you in the next 12 months.
Sounds good Joe. Tahoe!
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