223. What Does It Really Take To Qualify For Boston?

Run4PRs

www.run4prs.com Many athletes have the goal to run a BQ or Boston qualifying time. The qualifying times are listed on the Boston website and are progressive based on age. If you are under 35 on race day you need to run a 3:30 or faster if you are a female or a 3:00 or faster if you are a male. These are some quick times especially because you can only qualify in the marathon. Many runners say qualifying for Boston is their long term goal. We are going to do a deep dive on what it takes to get down to those times in the marathon.

1. What are some of the most common ways people BQ?

1. Many people have a strong aerobic base & BQ easy

2. Post-college athlete

3. Swimming background/super fit people

2. What if your first marathon time is like 5-6+ hours

1. What would you recommend working on first?

3. What are the equivalent 5k times?

1. How do you break down benchmarks to get there?

4. How to stay focused on a long term goal when you are 2+ hours away

1. Break down attainable goals every 6 months

2. 5:00 last year, let’s try to get into a 30:00 5k this year.. 30:00 5k last year? Let’s go for 27 this year?... then for a 4:00 marathon

5. Is it a good goal to have?

“I don’t like going slow on my easy days”

“I don’t like to do workouts”

“I don’t like long runs”

If you don’t enjoy the process, it’s going to be impossible to get to the outcome you want.