Who on here has qualified for the Boston Marathon on their first attempt? I would like to, I've run a 1:20 half before, so I feel I can do it, but I've heard the horror stories of the first attempt and definitely respect the distance. Is running the qualifying time a reasonable goal for someone who's never run that far before?
i coached my fiance for her first marathon and she wanted to get the Boston qualifier as well...she trained for 16 weeks (after roughly 4 months of being able to run lightly for up to 60 minutes or crosstrain for 2 hours a day following knee surgery)...she was never a runner before, but she trained intelligently and took care of the details (reading on hydration and food intake, icing regularly, proper rest, etc) and came out with a qualifier last month in her first marathon and only her second race ever (first was a 10K)...so i'd say go for it...just have a solid plan with a coach to keep you focused and safe, and be sure to really do the research when it comes to the little things...good luck!
i was a 15:20 5k and just ran miles (up to 100 a week) w/ no workouts or long runs and I ran 2:58 after totally crashing the last 3 miles.
I qualified the first time. You need to run 3:10 right? That is very doable as long as you have been getting in the long runs and stuff. Go out in 1:30 give or take and you would be fine.
It would be doable if you ran a 1:20 Half. In fact, the full marathon will probably feel just like a long distance day. Like a previous poster said, make sure you get a few 18-20 milers in and be conservative in the first half. . .I ran 3:04 in my first marathon, with similar benchmarks.
Oh, I'd also suggest picking a flat course. Save the difficult courses, like Boston, until you have some experience.
A person should respect the distance, but they don't need to fear it... I qualified for Boston in my 1st marathon and ran sub-3. At the time, my half pr was 1:23. Before my first, I did a lot of tempo work at 6:50 pace, then ran the marathon at that same effort...
I qualified my first time out, I ran a 2:51 in my first marathon, I ran a 1:18 half about a month before. The key is plenty of long runs, I ran five twenty milers in train up. most of my long runs were at a conversational pace for the first half then I would run marathon pace the last half.
You should have no problem qualifing.
Qualified first time and I've never run a half marathon as fast as you. Key is to start slow. I split about 1:33, and did the 2nd half in about 1:30 for a high 3:02. Should be cake if you've handled the 20 mile training runs without a problem, and run smart.
I smoked and drank for 8 years in my 20s. Got sick of it, quit the smokes and started running as compensation. First did some 5ks then 10ks. Got up to 45 miles per week consistently and ran 2.59 on my first marathon attempt to qualify. Increased the mileage to 60 and then ran 2.49 in Boston. Current PR is 2.44. Will go under 2.40 next year. Smoking and drinking is fun but not as fun as this.
I should declare I ran 800 and 1500 in college
(1.54, 3.56).
yeah, it is totally possible, just run sevens and youll be there.
I did. It was my first marathon at age 42 and I needed a 3:20 and ran a 3:17 and change. I'm guessing you need a 3:10 and with a 1:20 half under your belt it should be no problem if you pace yourself right, stay hydrated and don't get a 70+ degree day.
Oh and be sure to get some 20 milers in during training.