I want to get a BQ by September. Possible?

How in the world are you running a 16:30 5k but wondering if you can go sub 3? I know you are out of shape, knee problems, etc., but if you can run a 16:30 5k and are willing to put in the mileage to get ready for the marathon, 3:05 should be a piece of cake. I have run 2:46 and could not touch a 16:30 5k. Of course I am over 40 and hate doing 5ks, but you should be fine if you do the training.

I don't know if you can do it or not. I'm pretty sure that I can't do it. But, we should sure as hell try.

I'm worse off than you: Last marathon was 95, when I crashed and burned and ran low 3's. I'll be 49 in a few months. It's more than 20 years since I ran any of my PRs. I weigh 40 pounds more than I did when I was running at my best, and my last three weeks of running have all been less than 10 miles - and that's running 6 days/week. I can't remember the last time I broke seven minutes for a mile. But after yesterday? I'm gonna try. I think I've got to run 3:25 to get the necessary time. If preference still goes to those who run fastest, than I probably, realistically, need to get close to 3 to toe the line next year. I mean to do it. Everyone on this board should think about committing to this goal. Why? Because frack those low life criminals that defiled our holy site. That's why.

Link wrote: Why? Because frack those low life criminals that defiled our holy site. That's why.

Quality answer here.

Run #1 in the books- 6 miles steady at 6:52 pace. Faster than I wanted to go, but I was pissed, so...

Mr. Motivated wrote:

Link wrote: Why? Because frack those low life criminals that defiled our holy site. That's why.

Quality answer here.

Run #1 in the books- 6 miles steady at 6:52 pace. Faster than I wanted to go, but I was pissed, so...

Atta boy! I ran for an hour. Not far, but I also ran for 20 minutes this morning and swam a few hundred yards. The greatest journeys begin with the smallest steps. If I stay healthy, I think I can do this. So can you.

I agree with Precious Roy that if you could run 16:30 last summer, and you've done at least minimal maintenance, you should be able to get a BQ time. Daniels puts a 16:34 5k on a level with a 2:39 marathon. Trick will be to build up the miles off your 15 mpw without getting injured, since that seemed to be an issue with you last summer. Cross training?

Agree also with Link that BQ should become a forum-wide goal, if not for 2014 then beyond. It is an assertion of who each of us is and what we believe in. Saw an article online about that point, in fact:

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-04-16/bombings-heighten-runners-commitment-to-2014-boston-marathon

Time to step up and make a statement. Good luck!

I think you can do it, only you probably don't need to "hammer."

Slow steady progression. Easy does it.

Slow -- steady -- progression, with the mileage.

Run on soft surfaces as much as you can.

Do a lot of self care, ice that knee etc.

Eat right, sleep extra.

To do it you have to really have a good plan not just for the training, but for taking care of yourself.

Good Luck!

Would it be better to run more miles on fewer days per week or fewer miles on more days per week? I've never been a big cross training kind of guy, but it seems to make perfect sense in this situation.

Anyone out there know of a training plan that might work for my situation?

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the encouragement here.

I am in almost the exact scenario you are. Right down to the knee pain. Except I'm managing about 40 miles/wk right now. I had planned on trying to run a BQ on 5/12/13 in Providence, RI, but I'm dropping from the full down to the half.

I live in MA, so I'm within driving distance of Allentown, and I'm feeling super motivated to try to qualify for Boston '14.

Due to a lack of speedwork, etc, I'm shooting for 1:32 or under in this upcoming half. Then I plan on building more of a base in late May/June and early July. Then working on speed later in July and August.

Make the absolute foundation the long run. Start this weekend at 2-3 miles longer that you have run up til now and try adding a bit each week. I make it 2 hours and build 5-8 min/wk. If I am bonked, I drop back to 2 hours. Forget pace, that'll come. Fill in the rest of your week with mileage. One workout is ok but only if it feels right, not because of a program. You have plenty of time to get strong.

Last advice pay attention to when registration will open. You want your marathon prior as I'm guessing this will be a tough yr to get in.

Keep us posted on your progress.

qualifying wont be your issue, getting in will be. Its capped at 25000 and next year every one will want to be there.

AnonymousPseudonym wrote:

qualifying wont be your issue, getting in will be. Its capped at 25000 and next year every one will want to be there.

This is my chief concern. I'm thinking I'll have to be under 3:00 to even have a shot at making it in. An attempt at a 5 minute PR in my first marathon in a decade is a little daunting.

Mr. Motivated wrote:

2) Is it worth it to hammer to get under 3:05, only to be kept out of the race because of extremely high demand next year?

That kind of attitude is disgusting. Is it worth it to try to run your best knowing that you might not get into a race? Come on, man (I'm using that term very loosely in this case).

george oscar bluth wrote:

That kind of attitude is disgusting. Is it worth it to try to run your best knowing that you might not get into a race? Come on, man (I'm using that term very loosely in this case).

Now hold on... The guy wants to run Boston, not run "his best." I understand his concern. He doesn't care about running his best anymore. He wants to run Boston as a sign of solidarity.

FWIW, I am not sure his goal matters to anyone but himself, but it is better than hanging out at the local bar, right? I mean, who cares if this is his goal...?

That kind of attitude is disgusting. Is it worth it to try to run your best knowing that you might not get into a race? Come on, man (I'm using that term very loosely in this case).

As the poster above was stating, it's not that I'm concerned about giving it my best. I am more curious as to whether or not doing it would be in my best interest (injury wise) or if it would be smarter to curb the emotions and really take my time to qualify in the fall or next spring in order to be ready to run Boston in 2015. I'll be 35 at that point, so I buy myself an extra 5 minutes by waiting.

I guess I could have done a better job wording my original post.

Mr. Motivated wrote:

it's not that I'm concerned about giving it my best. I am more curious as to whether or not doing it would be in my best interest (injury wise) or if it would be smarter to curb the emotions and really take my time to qualify in the fall or next spring in order to be ready to run Boston in 2015. I'll be 35 at that point, so I buy myself an extra 5 minutes by waiting.

You have to run the numbers on your own cost-benefit analysis. Obviously, you maximize your chances of a BQ by looking towards 2015. On the other hand, the 2014 Boston Marathon will be a rather profound athletic and cultural event. Are all Boston Marathons equal?

When is your birthday? If you are 34 now, you will be 35 for Boston 2014. Qualifying times go for your age on Boston race day, not the qualifying race day. So you can run a 3:10 qualifier at age 34 if you will be 35 on race day in Boston 2014.

The weather for the Via Marathon in Allentown on September 8th will probably still be warm. You may need a flat course somewhere in Canada or the very Northern U.S.

Since I'm interested in this race as well, here's some historical weather data:

2012 - 71.6 @ Start 73 @ finish (done in 3 hrs) overcast

2011 - 62.6 - 64.4 overcast

2010 - 73.9 - 82 clear

2009 - 59.9 - 66.4 clear

The average high is 78 and the average low is 56. Of course, anything can happen, but racing in the mid 60s is probably most realistic.

It's probably more likely you'll get a mid 70s or 80 degree morning than something in the 50s.

Edmonton marathon