Boston 2014 (by a non-qualifier)

JohnP Wed May 07, 2014 11:10 am

I had always told myself I would not run Boston unless I qualified for it. I remember very clearly the race of my life three years ago in Grand Rapids in which I finally qualified. I then ran Boston twice including last year’s event, finishing the race seven minutes before the bombs went off. I really, really wanted to run this year because of how that event affected me but injuries last year compromised my training and I didn’t qualify. When the BAA opened up 300 spots for people affected by the events, I submitted my essay and was accepted. Whenever I told people I was running it, I would always preface it by saying I didn’t qualify but they are letting me run it because I finished close to when the bombs went off.

Training was probably the best I’ve ever had. I added a lot of weight lifting and core work into my training over the past year and had zero running injuries. Even work travel was a minimum during that time which let me really do well training-wise. I used the Hansen advanced program and made almost every single workout. In my mind, I figured if I could run a 3:40 (my BQ time), it would sort of justify being in the race again.

I felt a bit of skepticism from people when I mentioned that the weather really affected me. Some people seem to be barely affected by warmth but I know heat is my Achilles heel – it’s just a weakness I have. Since my wave didn’t start till 11:30 AM, I knew from the beginning with the forecast that it wouldn’t go great but I wanted to give it a try anyway. For roughly 10-12 miles, things went OK but then the slowdown started. Also, I could tell I needed a bathroom stop (which I’ve never had to do in 28 marathons) and that wound up costing me a sub-4 Boston too, finishing in 4:01:53. This was still my best time in Boston as the first year it was in the upper 80s and last year I had an injury that let me train for only about 8-9 weeks.

Miles 1 – 13: 8:46, 8:26, 8:26, 8:20, 8:37, 8:30, 8:30, 8:35, 8:43, 8:44, 8:43, 8:49, 9:11
Miles 14 – 26: 8:50, 10:44 (bathroom stop), 9:06, 9:33, 9:40, 9:18, 10:05, 10:24, 9:49, 9:48, 10:10, 10:12, 9:43, 2:03

Since my daughter lives in that area, it was great to see her for three days before. And I always enjoy the meet-up with people here though it was fairly short this year. The crowds this year were unbelievable. I was getting chill bumps the last few miles from the constant loud roar – it was definitely more people and much louder than the other two I ran there. I don’t know when I’ll be back if ever to run another one but I am very thankful that I was allowed to be a part of this one.

Jerry Wed May 07, 2014 12:38 pm

John, you qualified the race in my book.

Michael Enright Wed May 07, 2014 1:52 pm

Nice job, John. The heat always takes me way down, so I know what you mean. I'm glad you were given the chance to run it. I think you deserved it!

jon c Thu May 08, 2014 12:55 pm

Nice job, John, and thanks for your report. Didn't realize that's how you got in. Pretty neat deal if you ask me. Congrats! Sorry I missed seeing you again this year.

pigoo Thu May 08, 2014 12:58 pm

JohnP wrote:When the BAA opened up 300 spots for people affected by the events, I submitted my essay and was accepted.

I think that was pretty cool John that you were one of the 300. Statistically speaking...that's a "race qualification" much more rare than a BQ! Very Happy

- Nick

Michele "1L" Keane Thu May 08, 2014 4:56 pm

Congrats John. It was great to see you, Carol, and the girls again. You earned that spot as much as any of us did so you should never forget that.

As far as the heat goes, I get it since I'm not a great hot weather either or so I believed. You just need a little belief and you've got it. I hope to see you again

mountandog Thu May 08, 2014 11:18 pm

heat got me too. I don't give a flip how you got in!! Congrats.

nkrichards Fri May 09, 2014 9:20 am

Jerry wrote:John, you qualified the race in my book.

+1

Sorry you didn't have the race you wanted but don't let how you got in take away from the experience.

JohnP Fri May 09, 2014 4:48 pm

Thanks everyone for your comments! I am itching to run another marathon next weekend, we'll see if the weather gets
cooler (it was 91 degrees here yesterday) otherwise I'll just wait till the fall again to try another one.

dot520 Fri May 09, 2014 8:50 pm

Stop justifying your opportunity! You earned your spot..period. Heat is a tough one for me and it doesn't have to be too warm to be too warm. This past weekend I ran a half and it was 65 but full sun and it was too hot for me. Friends were commenting that I must have had a great race because it was so cool out. Yeah, if you're just standing still.
Good job on your race, I'm so glad you were able to run it this year.

KBFitz Sun May 11, 2014 8:06 am

I'm with Dot. You earned your spot. And no doubt you'll be back. On your desire to get back out there this weekend ... it's hottin' up out there, so be wise. Cheers!

Alex Kubacki Tue May 13, 2014 2:36 pm

John, with the later start it was tough out there with the heat after the winter we just had. Congrats on getting it done and have a great race this weekend.

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