Now that I have unexpectedly come closer to that BQ, it is almost a given that I must continue to chase it down! I have had some time to digest my last marathon and start thinking about what I want to do moving forward. I am a little over four minutes away from a BQ time of 3:45 but in my mind that is a huge amount of time to shave off of a marathon time. Yes, the doubts are trying to settle back in. Was it the course? Did I just have a good day? Is that the best that I can possibly do? Will it ever happen again? It's almost like I need to sign up for another marathon right away while it is still fresh in my mind. In all honesty, I am looking towards Boston, 2015. I don't think it's going to happen for me in 2014. I am sure it is going to be a lot harder to get into Boston, 2014 even with a qualifying time based on what I have been reading.
After thinking it through, there are still lots of things that I need to improve on before I attempt another step towards that elusive BQ. I need to train even harder and I would not say that I have completely owned those last 6.2 miles quite yet. I still struggle in the end but I have improved a heck of a lot since my past two marathons. I think the last 10K of my third marathon is what I am most happy about. I was comparing my pace during the last 6 miles of the three marathons that I have completed and it was kind of embarrassing how I completely died in the first two. I gotta work on that!
I have some other marathons in mind but have not signed up for any as of yet. There are so many marathons that I want to run but I have to find the right one. I usually go race crazy on National Running Day with all of the discounts that are offered so hopefully I don't pull the trigger too soon! I really want to try some out of state races but I am hoping to get one more local marathon in by the end of the year to keep me familiar with the distance.
1. Get back into running and stay in "marathon ready shape."
2. Continue to run 25-30+ miles per week. Starting next week since this week is a easy, get back into it week.
3. Train a little bit harder and make every mile count towards my goal!
So what are my goals for June?
2. Continue to run 25-30+ miles per week. Starting next week since this week is a easy, get back into it week.
3. Train a little bit harder and make every mile count towards my goal!
What are your goals for June?
Do you have plans to run a marathon this year? Which one?
Do you have plans to run a marathon this year? Which one?
I am looking for an easy course to get closer to that BQ! Does an easy course even exist?? Probably not!
My favorite BQ courses are Grand Rapids, MI and Columbus, OH. Flat, fast and cool.
ReplyDeleteChicago is also good, but can be hot and now it's hard to get into.
I missed Chicago this year! I will have to look into MI and OH. It looks like I might have to do some traveling to find the perfect race!
DeleteI am sure you will succeed in getting that BQ.
ReplyDeleteA marathon? Come to Rome!
My goals for june are embarrassing; only to come back to run and swim.
In my future no more marathons and half. Very sad situation.
However I hope to race in open waters (swimming) and short distance runs.
Thank you for the encouragement! It would be nice to go to Rome! Swimming is pretty tough so you will be just as strong without the running! Hope you are healing and getting better each day. Take Care.
DeleteMy goals for June are to continue to lengthen my long runs and stick with strength training. Chicago in October is the goal race right now. I've also heard good things about Columbus. And like you I'm targeting 2015 for Boston--2014 might as well be sold out already, even if I do manage to qualify in Chicago (which isn't a given--I'm working on my race strategy too, especially those last 6 miles).
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed! How great would it be to meet in Boston in 2015? But I don't want to get my hopes up too much. I have to be in this for the long haul.
Oh, P.S.--you should consider CIM! Despite my bad weather experience there last year, it was a nice course--the end is *really* flat.
DeleteTerzah I know that we are going to meet in Boston! I am sure it will happen for you in Chicago so fingers crossed that the registration will still be open in October. I have been thinking about CIM! It is tempting. I am keeping it in the back of my mind for this year. I hope it does not sell out before I decide to pull the trigger. They do offer some type of registration in October if you meet their qualifying time but I am sure it will sell out before then. You have to come out next year and run Mountains 2 Beach! That will be my last and final attempt to BQ for 2015! I will have to check Columbus out too!
DeleteI don't know if I agree with you, it looks like you really DID own those last six miles.
ReplyDeleteWhile four minutes seems like a long time, didn't you PR by like 15 minutes? :] I know you can do it.
Thank you Christy. I did a lot better but had to really talk myself into not giving up. I want to completely own those last 6.3 miles someday. Yes, I PR'd by 16 minutes.
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