I intend to run the Boston Marathon next year

[Recursion]

Anybody with me?

[Brickbat]

1. It'll be a mess -- there are a lot of disappointed people who didn't get to finish; I hope some way

is found to accommodate them.

[sir pball]

2. You know it's not an open event, right?

Part of what makes it such a big deal is the extremely rigorous qualifying standards - you must run a sub-3:05 race in the preceding year to get in. I'd love to but I don't know that I could be that fast that soon.

[SidDithers]

3. Good luck qualifying...

Qualifying time are very difficult to achieve.

Minimum Boston Marathon Qualifying Times 2013-2014

Age - - - - - Men - - - - - Women

18-34 - 3hrs 05min - 3hrs 35min
35-39 - 3hrs 10min - 3hrs 40min
40-44 - 3hrs 15min - 3hrs 45min
45-49 - 3hrs 25min - 3hrs 55min
50-54 - 3hrs 30min - 4hrs 00min
55-59 - 3hrs 40min - 4hrs 10min
60-64 - 3hrs 55min - 4hrs 25min
65-69 - 4hrs 10min - 4hrs 40min
70-74 - 4hrs 25min - 4hrs 55min
75-79 - 4hrs 40min - 5hrs 10min
80&up - 4hrs 55min - 5hrs 25min

Sid

[Recursion]

6. I've done the Marine Corps marathon

4:20, to the eternal jocularity of my NORML friends

[SidDithers]

8. Then you'll qualify...

if you're a 60 year old woman, or 70 year old man.

Edit: I shouldn't make light. Anyone who completes a marathon has done something only a very small percentage of the population has done. I did a sub 2 half, but blew out my knee training for my first full. My wife has run 6 fulls, and I'm amazed at her every time. Congrats on a very good Marine.



Sid

[Recursion]

9. Hence "intend"

Please tell me you were never a coach, Sid...

[SidDithers]

12. see edits...nt

Sid

[Recursion]

17. Thanks

I can only try. I prefer failing at cool stuff succeeding at lame stuff.

[Tanuki]

24. You can do it, Recursion!

I used to live in Boston, and there are plenty of people who jump in at the beginning, after the official runners have already started, and run the whole course. And their friends and family line up along the course to cheer them on, just like anyone else. I hope you succeed in qualifying beforehand, but if not, ask around on a runners' board for the finer points of making this happen. I don't live in Boston now, but I hope to go back next year to scream myself hoarse cheering you and all the other runners on. Don't let the terrorist(s) win!

[DinahMoeHum]

4. I don't run marathons, but I'll be with you in spirit. . .

next year (if you get entered). Keep us updated, OK? Thanks.

[graham4anything]

5. Are you a member of the Road Runner Club? Run prior ones?

They are almost impossible to enter.

[Recursion]

7. Yes. I've done the Marine Corps marathon

I will have to work some to make Boston.

[graham4anything]

14. Good luck! Concrete running is hard on the knees

Have friends who have in some years run in the NYC one.
Years ago, I was a long distance swimmer, but never running.

[theglammistress]

10. My husband's dream

I would love to help him get there next year, now more than ever. It's never going to happen to me. I'm a back of the pack runner. My husband is fast tho.

[Bluzmann57]

11. Once upon a time, someone asked me a question

The question was "Would you rather run a marathon or step into the ring against the heavyweight champ?" My answer was, "I'd rather face the champ because he'd hit me, I'd go down in a heap and it'd be over whereas a marathon would be a long slow death."
So there's your answer.

[Jamastiene]

13. I feel the same.

I would rather anything that extremely physically exhausting happen quick.

[Recursion]

19. I box and I do distance running

And I agree: a hard round is easier than a long race.

Except in Judo. I will run as long as necessary to avoid an unmatched Judo match

[Iggo]

15. I'm in for the first 50 yards.

Then I gotta take a nap.

[Buns_of_Fire]

26. Good. That'll give me a chance to catch up to you!

(Maybe.)

[Life Long Dem]

16. Good for you!

I heard participation will double next year because of this.

[catbyte]

18. I can't even jog to the parking lot with the nerve damage down my leg, but I'll be there in

spirit!

[Buzz Clik]

20. Can you qualify?

[Recursion]

21. If I work. I've done 3:50

I can conceivably do this

[Buzz Clik]

22. It's a noble goal. I will never run another step, but I wish you success.

[DreamGypsy]

23. Boston was my 2nd marathon, in 1980...

Last edited Tue Apr 16, 2013, 08:01 PM - Edit history (1)

...the year that Rosie Ruiz 'won' the women's division in record time of 2:31:56 ... by taking the bus, or subway, or ??? The current real open women's record of 2:20:43 is held by Margaret Okayo of Kenya, set in 2002

The open men's record at Boston, and the world's fastest marathon time, set in 2011 by Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya is 2:03:02 - an absolutely incredible time. (NB: Mutai's run is not the World Record time, because the Boston course does not meet all the IAAF criteria for record eligibility for a marathon time)

To the skeptics about long and ultra distance running, I can only say: I think it's great fun and very rewarding to bring your body and mind through an endurance event. Trail running is a lot more scenic and easier on the body than road running, but I've done a mix of road and trail marathons over the years and I appreciate both venues. I have completed ~150 marathon or longer runs, the last being a trail 65K in 2011.

Recursion - I wish you good fortune in your qualifier and in your run at Boston next year. May you enjoy every second of the adventure.

The best of the human spirit is to help, create and achieve...the worst is to injure, destroy and fail.


(on edit: Corrected characterization of Geoffrey Mutai's 2:03:02 Boston time to 'world's fastest marathon' instead of the (incorrect) 'world record'. Mea culpa.)

[BlueState]

25. A note on qualifying and registering

BTW I share your goal of running next year.

In the past couple years registration has filled up immediately. They now give preference for runners who
significantly beat their qualifying times. I qualified and ran in 2012. I was only seconds over the required
time but made it in.

Since registration opens in September (and these days fills up quickly) you'll need to run a qualifying marathon
before then. I think a lot of folks will probably feel the same as we do and the qualifying time may not be good
enough.

Bottom line is if you are serious, find a late summer marathon to run and start training now!

[nachosgrande]

27. Ditto this

To put in perspective the talent and/or dedication required to qualify for the Boston Marathon, I am a fairly fit 35 year old male, ran on average 55 miles/week in preparation for my first marathon, and I still finished 40 minutes off of my Boston qualifying time. I'm guessing it will take me two to three years of 70+ mile weeks before I even get a sniff of Boston.