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Boston qualifying standards

NJ Marathon Goals

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4/26/11

5 miles (2 mi easy, 2 mi @ MP, 1 mi easy)

44:57

8:59 avg pace

I’ve given a lot of thought about my goals for Sunday’s race.  I also drove Matt crazy in the process.

My current PR is a 3:58 at the Steamtown Marathon last October (great race, by the way).   For this marathon, I’m using the FIRST program to run a 3:50 (8:46 pace).  I remember thinking I’m nuts thinking I can shave 8 minutes off.  But I wanted to try and adopted the “go big or go home” mentality.

Then a funny thing happened.  I ran an 18-miler at 8:40 average pace in early March.  I couldn’t believe it.  But, it happened again.  This time during my last long run – 22 miles – before the taper.  Then Boston started creeping into my head.  What if I can drop my average pace from 8:40 to 8:34 and qualify?  The thought made me sick to my stomach with nervousness.  I had NO intention of even thinking of BQing this training cycle.

I have A LOT of motivation for trying to qualify for Boston 2012:
* I’m 34 now but will be 35 come Boston 2012, which means I can qualify with a 3:45.  Hooray for getting older and having an early birthday!
* 2012 is the last year to BQ using the “old” qualifying times.  Come 2013, I would need a 3:40.
* 2012 is also the last year the B.A.A. is allowing the 59-second grace period (meaning I could run a 3:45:59 and still qualify).
* The only (huge) drawback?  The new unfair registration process starts this year, meaning the fastest runners get to register first and then the people that qualify by the skin of their teeth (i.e., me) would register last, IF there are still slots available.  Essentially, you could BQ and not get into the race.

Goal A:  try and BQ
I’m well aware that it’s going to be mighty tough dropping that pace from 8:40 to 8:34.  The weather conditions would have to be ideal and I may have to don a cape and become superwoman.  This is probably a long shot, but crazier things have happened!  If everything falls into place, I have to go for it.  If you could BQ on determination and will alone, I would have done it a long time ago.

Goal B:  3:50
This is what I trained for and I feel confident that I can maintain a 8:46 average pace.

Goal C:  anything better than a 3:58 
The weather for this race is a crapshoot.  It’s at the Jersey Shore so it can be quite windy at times (just ask my Mom who lives there; she complains about the wind all the time).  Last year it was ungodly hot; the year before cold and rainy.  Right now the forecast looks OK, maybe a little too hot.  If it is hot, I’ll have to scale back on my pace and just try to PR.

Needless to say, if Goal A or Goal B is attained I will be doing lots of this…

Jumping for joy
Told you I was a cheerleader

and a whole lotta this…

Lots of beer
...and more beer

Did you ever PR (or BQ) in a race unexpectedly?  Any race, not just a marathon.

New Boston Qualifying Standards

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So much for celebrating my jump to the next age category in Boston (read about that here)!  Today the B.A.A. announced new registration guidelines for 2012 and new qualifying standards for 2013.

Thanks to Cindi for posting this info on her blog!

Jeez, looks like I need that 3:40 after all…unless I qualify for the 2012 race and then cross my fingers that I can register with their new “rolling admission”!  I got my work cut out for me!

2012 Boston Marathon

For the 2012 Boston Marathon, registration will extend for two weeks, beginning on Monday, September 12, 2011 and continuing until Friday, September 23, 2011. The qualifying times for the 2012 Boston Marathon will not change from recent past years since the standards had been previously announced and have been in effect since last September. However, the new registration process addresses the increased demand among qualified runners to participate in the Boston Marathon and will accommodate those who are the fastest qualifiers first.

Registration will occur on a “rolling admission” schedule until the maximum field size is reached, beginning with the fastest qualifiers. On the first day of registration for the 2012 Boston Marathon, those who are eligible for entry by having met the qualifying standards for their age and gender group by 20 minutes or more will be able to enter on the first day of registration (September 12). On the third day (September 14), registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by 10 minutes or more. On the fifth day (September 16), registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by five minutes or more. During this first week of registration, applicants will be notified as they are accepted and their qualifying performance verified.

If the field size is not reached after the first week and additional space remains, then registration will open to all qualifiers at the beginning of Week Two (September 19) and those who have met the qualifying standards by any amount of time will be able to apply for entry. The application process will remain open for the entire week, closing on September 23. At the conclusion of Week Two, those who are the fastest among the pool of applicants in their age and gender will be accepted. Accepted athletes will be notified on September 28.

If space remains available after this two week process, registration will remain open to any qualifier on a first come, first served basis until the maximum field size is reached.

The field size for the 2012 Boston Marathon will not represent a significant increase from the most recent years.

Registration Process for the 2012 Boston Marathon

Date registration opens for runners with times…
September 12, 2011 20 min., 00sec. or more below their qualifying time (based on age/gender)
September 14, 2011 10 min., 00 sec. or more below their qualifying time (based on age/gender)
September 16, 2011 5 min., 00 sec. or more below their qualifying time (based on age/gender)
Second Week
September 19, 2011 All Qualified Runners
September 23, 2011 Registration closes for qualified applicants
September 28, 2011 (appx) Qualifiers from entry during second week of registration are notified of their acceptance.

If the field is not filled at the conclusion of the two weeks, then registration will remain open and qualifiers will be accepted on a first come, first served basis until the maximum field size is reached.

2013 Boston Marathon

For the 2013 Boston Marathon, in addition to the new “rolling admission” process for registration which will be in effect for the 2012 Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. will adjust the qualifying times by lowering them by five minutes from the times which have been in effect in recent past years. The adjusted qualifying times will go into effect on September 24, 2011, and are as follows:

2013 Qualifying Times (effective September 24, 2011)

Age Group Men Women
18-34 3hrs 05min 00sec 3hrs 35min 00sec
35-39 3hrs 10min 00sec 3hrs 40min 00sec
40-44 3hrs 15min 00sec 3hrs 45min 00sec
45-49 3hrs 25min 00sec 3hrs 55min 00sec
50-54 3hrs 30min 00sec 4hrs 00min 00sec
55-59 3hrs 40min 00sec 4hrs 10min 00sec
60-64 3hrs 55min 00sec 4hrs 25min 00sec
65-69 4hrs 10min 00sec 4hrs 40min 00sec
70-74 4hrs 25min 00sec 4hrs 55min 00sec
75-79 4hrs 40min 00sec 5hrs 10min 00sec
80 and over 4hrs 55min 00sec 5hrs 25min 00sec
*Unlike previous years, an additional 59 seconds will NOT be accepted for each age group time standard