Boston Marathon – Possible?

You have to be fast as a unicorn to qualify.

At last night’s social run we had a few speedy people, including several Boston Marathon runners.  I got to talking to some of them after the run.  They were all talking how they got in the 2014 race as registration was open this past week.  But not just anyone can register, you have to run a qualifying race and time first.  I said how I’d like to run it, but would probably have to go through a charity registration as I can’t run a 3:10 marathon yet.  Yet.  That was the key word, and they jumped all over it.  My one friend told me it took her 6 marathons before she finally qualified.  My other friend, a local elite runner named Logan Sherman, told me that they would get me there.  Here’s a pic of Logan as he was featured in this month’s Competitor Magazine:

He’s fast.

This gave me some hope and inspiration, but the numbers don’t lie.  I’d have to run a 3:10 marathon to qualify.  That’s 7:15 minute miles.  I can run faster than 7:15 miles now, but during a 3.1 mile race, not a 26.2 mile race.

Anyways, I want to try at some point.  I wouldn’t mind going the charity route, but I’d have to raise a LOT of money.  Thousands of dollars.  And I’d kind of like to be able to get there on my own too.  I’d have to get really serious about improving endurance and speed.  I used to be a lot faster (in high school), but can I get back to close to that conditioning?  As one of my other elite running buddies told me on the track one day – Yes you can.

Smokin’ fools in the 400 in high school.

I still have those track shoes at home (autographed by former world record holder Butch Reynolds on the right outside heel – check it out, eagle eye).  Maybe I need to lace them back up.  Maybe I should get the same haircut too, yeah, that was probably the secret to my speed.

Anyone else have dreams of Boston?

Hot Runs: Track Work, Social Run, Weekend Fun

So it’s hot outside.  Like, devil fart hot.  That makes for tough times running.  I’m getting somewhat acclimatized, but there’s only so much you can adjust to.  I tried to get up early and run before work hoping the small clock hour would mean cooler temps.  Didn’t help much – sure the sun wasn’t baking, but for some reason the dawn hours around here are extremely humid.  I did my run, sweated, took a shower, kept sweating, drove to work, sweated at my desk – I’m quite sure my co-workers think I’m up to something.  “Why’s that guy sweating? What’s he looking at on his computer?”

But then on Wed, I met some peeps for a track workout…at 5.  PM!  Holy horse it was blazing.  Trying to sprint 400’s when it’s 102, no clouds, and heat radiating off the black track ain’t easy.  But I got through it (mostly).

Then comes the Thursday social run.  What’s this?  Rain clouds?  Sure it was just a quick downpour that sopped, but at least the clouds will provide relief from the sun that seems to normally be leaning against my face.  Not so much.  The sun that was shining through cooked the wet ground and turned it into rather thick humidity.  But I got through it again.  It helps when there’s 50 other people running with you.  One of which was a Boston Marathon qualifier for this coming year (She told me she qualified with a 3:30’s marathon!).  She kept my pace up by nipping at my heels the whole 2nd half of the run.  We ended up doing a rather decent 7:30 pace – pretty good for a hot casual social run!  And she had a great point – if you can get through these crazy hot runs, as soon as the temps drop, it’s going to feel like you were let out of a cage.  ‘Tis true.  I’ve gone through it before. Running Texas summers = easier fall/winter runs.

Anyhow, we were able to cool off on the fantastic patio at the Katy Trail Icehouse Outpost in Plano.

Only part of our group that was there. We like the mister fans!

I’m not making duck lips, they always look like that.

Anyway, we got no choice.  Gotta train through it.  This weekend will bring more.  I’m thinking long run again on Saturday, possibly followed by yoga.  Then another trail run Sunday, followed by a secret run group meeting.  Stay tuned for info on that last part.

Gotta keep at it!  179 days till the Disney World Marathon Weekend and the Dopey Challenge (3.1, 6.2, 13.1, &26.2)!!!

Peace out internet!