I just ran a 1:11 half marathon. Instead of racing A marathon in the next year to get a BQ, is there any other way to get in?

I mostly race short distances wrote:

probably a bad idea wrote:

The problem with these solutions is they put you at the back of the last wave where you will fight your way through 1000's of people.

Your best option is to just qualify on an approved Marathon course

As a 1:11 half marathoner, Why do I have to race 2 marathons per year in order to have 1 of them be Boston? That's retarded

I kind of agree. Personally I wouldn't want to do a 26.2 as a "training run" even if it was just at 7-minute pace. I'm pretty injury prone so I rather limit how many miles I run on the road to begin with (I run a lot of trails) and in my marathon build-ups I topped out at 22.5 miles for a long run.

I know for the actual race I have to run 26.2 hard and survive on the road, but for the actual race I taper going in and then take time off after. I prefer not to run 26.2 as a "workout" while running 100+ mile weeks and training hard for other races.

All that said, you do have a year to qualify so doing a 26.2 mile long run right now isn't going to hurt you for Boston next year, even if it's annoying and maybe not conducive to what you're doing right now (let's say if you're training for a 5K or track races).

You could try and get in the "sub-elite" group, but the guy I knew who did that was faster, more like 1:07-1:08 for the half. Some guy I met in Boston this year was running it as his debut and only ran 16-mid for 5K. But he said he came in the top XX% of so many "qualifying" races or something like that. I didn't really understand it, but there apparently are other ways.

The point is, I agree if you've ran fast enough that the qualifying time can be considered "jogging a long run" you probably shouldn't be made to do it. But your safest bet is probably to just suck it up and do it. Do you have "winning a marathon" on your bucket list? If so, just find one you can win in a slow time so you can at least kill off two birds with one stone. Or do a destination one and make it a vacation (and actually enjoy the vacation since you aren't "racing"). Or do a local one so you can show off to your family/friends/co-workers.

Go run a marathon and qualify like everybody else. If you can run 1:11 then you can qualify. What about that?

What does this mean? Your coach has a training schedule for you leading up to Boston 2016 but it doesn't include a race to get you into Boston? Are you a chick? Why would a 1:11 guy have a coach?

If your coach is basing your training for Boston 2016 but does not want you to run a marathon nor have any other way for you to qualify, they don't seem like a good coach.

Just go run your qualifier as your long run. Either jog it just under 7, or do your normal clip and jog in the last 6 as a cool down. I don't really understand the problem here?

*stipe wrote:

Kudos on your 1:11 half. Now run a full marathon and qualify like an adult.

Hey, what's your best marathon time? Just wondering.

Yeah you should email someone and get in. If not just bandit. Really, if you mainly do short races just keep doing that. Doing a half in 111 doesn't mean much about how you'll fare in a marathon. Honestly, I don't recommend marathons. I've run a few and they are just not worth it, you'll feel satisfied for like ten minutes. Then you realize nobody gives a shit what time you run, they'll just be shocked you would do such a thing to yourself. You're better off getting that 111 down to 105. The energy systems for shorter races are compromised by training for a marathon and you'll center be disappointed how marathons have become such a old white people thing to do. So all this crap about just doing a marathon is bull.

check another wrote:

*stipe wrote:

Kudos on your 1:11 half. Now run a full marathon and qualify like an adult.

Hey, what's your best marathon time? Just wondering.

I've run 2:35 for the full and 1:13 for the half and would repeat that same sentiment. Just tell your coach that Boston is important to you and that you need an extra 3 weeks in the schedule, 1 week to taper and jog your 2:50 qualifier, then 2 weeks to fully recover. A 2:50 should be no problem if you're in 1:11 shape and that is usually right on the cutoff time for corral 1 at Boston. Unless you're running a 1:05 or better for half and have your OTQ, I highly doubt Boston will give you any special treatment.

I was in the same boat with a 1:12. I jogged a full in 2:58 which was basically a training run and got in. What's the big deal? Afraid to have a slow time next to your name? Don't worry, no one cares... Unless you decide to scold principals on FB.

You should have the ability to run 5:00 pace for a half to get into Boston without a marathon qualifying time.

You should have your coach e-mail the BAA on your behalf and not you. Hopefully he know someone there who he can reach out to.

And finally, if you choose to do an 'easier' paced marathon and want to start in the top 1000 bibs, you'll want to run sub 2:46 or faster based on this year's start times.

Vaya con Dios.

I mostly race short distances wrote:

Freelove wrote:

You don't have to "race" two marathons; go jog a 2:45 and you can start at the front. If you can't be bothered to do that, then find another race and quit whining. Also, as far as I know you have over a year's qualifying window, so it's really a 1 marathon/year requirement.

But a marathon (even jogging one in a local race)doesn't fit into my coach's training schedule leading up to Boston 2016. Is there any other way to get in?

I hope you're not paying a coach to only run 1:11. You could easily traing yourself at that level. Now if you are a girl than 1:11 for a half should qualify for the elite section.

Positive Contribution wrote:

I hope you're not paying a coach to only run 1:11.

Why not?

I mostly race short distances wrote:

As a 1:11 half marathoner, Why do I have to race 2 marathons per year in order to have 1 of them be Boston? That's retarded

You're talking as if you have run 61 not 71. Are you a troll?

I think the better question is why you pay for a coach when you can only run 1:11?

Why do you need a coach?

I don't understand why people are giving you grief about having a coach. I'm sure your coach is a big reason you've run your 1:11 1/2.

I know I'm just repeating what's already been said, but:

#1 you (or your coach) should see if your 1:11 will get you a guaranteed spot.

#2 Seriously, a 2:53 marathon is only 6:36 pace. That would put you in the 2nd corral and close enough to the starting line that you might as well be on the starting line. Hell, 6:40 pace is 2:54.xx and should still put you no worse than the 2nd corral still. Easily just barely behind the Elites.

Ghost wrote:

I don't understand why people are giving you grief about having a coach. I'm sure your coach is a big reason you've run your 1:11 1/2.

In the minds of LetsRunners, you're either world class or you're a hobbyjogger. Most of them are actual, mediocre hobbyjoggers, who seek to drag down anyone putting in more effort and running faster than they are.

HardLoper wrote:

Pull a Mike Rossi

Yeah, right. A lot of good that'll do the guy. There's no way Mike can get him in after all the blow up about him cheating to get his BQ.

HardLoper wrote:

Pull a Mike Rossi

Bad suggestion. Mike isn't a member of the BAA and has no connections that would help the OP get in. This course of action will just result in the guy feeling awkward and with no BQ to show for his efforts.

yeah right.... wrote:

HardLoper wrote:

Pull a Mike Rossi

Yeah, right. A lot of good that'll do the guy. There's no way Mike can get him in after all the blow up about him cheating to get his BQ.

Who said Mike cheated?