Can anyone qualify for Boston...?

Qualifying for Boston is even easier than qualifying for baby nationals. If you need more than one attempt or a downhill cheater course to qualify then you probably don't have the talent to be a good runner. Not everyone is made to be a runner and there's no shame in being a jogger.

WWRD wrote:

I don't mean from an eligibilty standpoint, I mean from an ability standpoint. I just started running 2 yrs ago because of a 5k bet, I never envisioned running beyond that. I actually went out too hard and had to walk in that 5k. I have grown to love running, I think it's filled a void for me, I'm a very competitive person (I always played the stick and ball sports but have gotten older). I also never considered the possiblity of running the Boston Marathon, due to lack of talent. But I've been working hard and getting better. I ran my first Marathon in the fall (3:44), I will turn 45 in 2 yrs and will need a 3:30 to qualify.

The question to you who have been around running a lot longer than I is, can a runner with limited talent, but with hard work, qualify for Boston?

Limited talent yes. No talent, no. In your case from no running to a 3:44 marathon at about age 43, that shows you have a little bit of talent. You likely will be able to run 3:30 and qualify for Boston if you keep training.

Yes, virtually every healthy non-injured male could run 3:30, and even much faster, at age 45 with proper training. The human body responds very well to consistent training that applies increasingly higher, yet achievable mileage and speed demands. You mentioned "limited talent." If your goal were sub 2:40 at age 45, then talent limitations could play a role. At sub 3:30, it's not an issue worth mentioning, as that is about 8 minutes per mile.

Congratulations on your improvement to date. Run some half marathons (actual races or time trials) aiming for steadily improving times each month. Sub 3:30 will take care of itself.

Yes indeed. I am female, ran my first marathon at age 44 in horrible rain, and ran 3:38. Believe me, I have no natural running ability at all. I did speed work by running as fast as I could until I had to stop, rested for a minute, and did it again...and again...and again. So without talent and without specific training, I did it. You can too.

3:10 for 34 and under males is not easy and takes either a decent bit talent and some work or no talent and a lot of work. 3:10 can be pretty difficult if you are big and don't have a light runner's frame.

5 min+ each 5 year age group thereafter starts to make it pretty easy. I think it is basically a marketing move to let the standard slide so fast. Most of the people the City and the sponsors want are the 35-55 age group. These people have lots of money to spend on marathon weekend and are the target demographic for John Hancock, the title sponsor.

I think the qualifying time used to be 2:55 for men, period. But it was a much smaller race back then with far fewer expenses. It would be cool if someone started a marathon with a really tough qualifying time, like in Japan. Once you get past 2:55 (auto entry into NY), there is really nothing realistic to shoot for. Chicago's "top 100" standard is something like 2:30. Maybe marathons could start offering preferred entries (automatic, no cap) and VIP corrals for runners who are under 2:50/45, or something. The Boston standard just isn't much anymore.

I weigh 185 so am a "bigger" runner, that said I plan on being as close to 170 as I can get when I make a run at it. For those of you who think it's easy to run 3:30 at 45, come hoop it up or play some football with me some time so I can make fun of YOU, you little skinny bastards:)

The "talent" that is required to achieve the Boston standards for master's runners include at least the following:

1) Discipline and persistence in training. With two years of running, you likely have not begun to tap your potential.

2) Reasonable durability. Consistent, reasonably high mileage, over a period of months and years will get almost anyone there if they can absorb the training without breaking down.

3) It's a whole lot easier to run faster if your weight is reasonably low and you are eating a sound diet. See discipline.

don't mind the first person that responded to you he's an immature college ass. I'm glad to hear you've found the love in our sport that many people are clueless too. I know plenty of 50-60 year old that can run sub 3:15 so while it may not be "easy" for everyone for someone who trains properly it should be relatively easy.

you're a runner now so what those dumbass follow up remarks. you might have a lot of us basketball but plenty of runners have a nice shot on the court so watch it and as for football i mean its not really a one on one sport but...i think alot of us could out run you with the pigskin...

I think the thing you need to realize is this. At the level that you (and I, and 99% of people on this board) are at, it isn't about "talent". It's about hard work and discipline. "Talent" matters for guys in the sub-2:30 range, not so much for us.

Sure there are some guys who lucked out and can run ~3 hours off of intermittent training, I guess they have talent. But the truth is, to run a BQ time, the only talent that is required is being born with two functional legs.

Train consistently and you will make it. You're already close and you've only ran one marathon.

Ignore that first guy ... seems like you're new here but the culture on this board is very tongue-in-cheek.

d-head wrote:

don't mind the first person that responded to you he's an immature college ass. I'm glad to hear you've found the love in our sport that many people are clueless too. I know plenty of 50-60 year old that can run sub 3:15 so while it may not be "easy" for everyone for someone who trains properly it should be relatively easy.

you're a runner now so what those dumbass follow up remarks. you might have a lot of us basketball but plenty of runners have a nice shot on the court so watch it and as for football i mean its not really a one on one sport but...i think alot of us could out run you with the pigskin...

Thanks D-head, and others on this board. I've been working hard and improving. When you've NEVER ran more than 2 miles b4 2 yrs ago you have a lot to learn. My point on this is when I started I didn't even think qualifying was possible to me. Now based on my progress I'm starting to think about it, but I know I have a lot to learn and lots of hard work in front of me. So I go to you veterans for advise, I guess I have to put up with the occasional a-hole.

You runners with high end ability (and the work ethic to back it up), don't take it for granted. To me it will be one of the neatest things ever if I get to line up at Boston.

WWRD wrote:

To me it will be one of the neatest things ever if I get to line up at Boston.

Exactly. That is why everyone says it is so easy. Because even someone like you can line up one day.

I am a fat ass who came to running late in life so I could eat and drink what ever I want and even I easily run a BQ time.

It is not the freaking Olympics. It is just a great marketing scam to all the sucker jolly joggers. Makes you feel like you "qualified." Like look at me I "qualified" for Boston.

So freaking what the time standards are a joke. Just enjoy running for what it does for you not so you can brag about "qualifying for Boston!!!"

But if that keeps you motivated hey more power to you. I am sure your b-ball buddies will be impressed.

How about the 4:15 BQ for 65-69 ? I know that sounds ridiculously slow to virtually all of you, but believe me, once you get to my age ( 66) the engine just does not fire as fast any more !

Question.... if I have been able to train hard this year and last and run 1:55 for a 1/2 M, is it realistic to think I can crank up my miles, and get a 4:15 BQ this coming October ?

I never had much talent when I was younger but did run 1:35 1/2 M at age 42 and then 1:38 at age 51. But it has been all downhill since then.. although I still FEEL great.

If you ran 1:38 at age 51 you can absolutely (and easily I might add) run 4:15. You have more than average talent.

And as I'm sure you know, it is easier to run longer distances than for speed as you age. I just looked at the WMA age tables and I cringe at the thought of having to run 7:30's for 13.1 miles (1:38) which is the equivalent of what I ran at age 35 (1:29). I'd rather run 26 at 8:00 flat (which I did aged 46)- it just seems like an easier task.

As to the subject- yeah it's kind of sort of easy. IF you do the work.

Yepppp wrote:

[quote]WWRD wrote:

To me it will be one of the neatest things ever if I get to line up at Boston.

Exactly. That is why everyone says it is so easy. Because even someone like you can line up one day.quote]

Someone like you? Are you a tool in real life or just on the message boards? When you're a kid growing up you want to hit the big shot as time runs out in a championship game, score the winning TD in the Super Bowl, or hit a home run in the bottom of the 9th that wins the World Series. Being a fan of sports growing up the Boston Marathon had a similar status in my mind, though I never imagined running 26.2 miles (through promotion or whatever, it doesn't matter, it does or did have that status). I happened to start following it during Bill Rogers heyday. As such qualifying and running the event would be neat for me...and an accomplishment. Kind of like if you ever get laid without paying for it:)

In 2007 13.9% of US male marathon finishers were under 3:30:00. It's not as easy as some on here would have you believe. However, you've been running only 2 years and already have a 3:44:00 to your credit. I think you should be able to qualify with room to spare. Good luck and feel justifiably proud when you do it!

Ohhh come on we all know why you came on the message board (with your innocent question). You wanted to TELL all of us that you ran soooo fast without even really training.

What wifey isn't impressed with the lumber at home you have to come brag to us tools?

The Boston Marathon is a great event for the guys and gals at the front. Just like the Super Bowl or World Series for the tops in those sports. But buddy don't kid yourself you are paying to be out there (like a fan in the seat), they are being paid to be there.

However this is one of the great things about running. All us jolly joggers can pay to be on the same "field" as the stars. Not too many can say that about football or basketball.

Just don't confuse "qualifying" for Boston do be equivalent to winning the Super Bowl. But like I said before if it keeps you going hey more power to you.

As a mere jogger who qualified for Boston at 3:10, I say "no, not everyone can do it." It took me 3 tries, and have a decent runner's frame and limited talent, but have never been coached a day in my life. What most of the people on this board don't understand is that it is much tougher to become a good runner later in life when you can't devote the time to run 60-70 miles per week.

I know a lot of guys, mostly triathletes, that train a lot and can't do a 3:30 marathon. Forget about the average beer drinking couch potato at 220lbs.

Congrats on your 3:44.

I ran a 3:29 at age 45 to BQ, but it was my third try. Two attempts at 40 mi/week failed, but when I got fairly healthy and was doing 50, I made it...and with a bit more to spare than the time would indicate. I made some pacing errors. Regardless, if your mechanics are OK, and the 3:44 at 43 would say yes, then you should be able to make it given adequate training.

man tough crowd here today.

its not just talent or age or experience or body type...its all those things combined. If you train and race properly you should be able to physically do it based on what you've said so far.

on a side not i think its great that you're pumped to jsut qualify for boston and yeah we can hear about how it used to be tougher and blah blah blah but you know to each his own. there is only 1 winner at theres very few guys especially in the US that can break 2:15 so i guess the rest of us should just give up? F that....i may not be elite but i've set my goal and i'm out to reach it and thats what everyone should do. whether its top 10, top 100 sub 2:30, 3:00, 3:30 or even 4:00. set a goal, do the right things and most importantly have fun out there and enjoy the sport.