Chasing Boston

When I set out to train for my first marathon back in 2003 my goal was to qualify for Boston. I wanted to run a marathon, yes. What I really wanted was to run Boston. But I had to qualify first. I began training with no experience, I'd never run a race in my life. I knew nothing about tempo or speed work. I ran a 5k in May and a 10K in June and those were my first races. Sometimes I'd go to my college track and run laps as fast as I could, then run stairs. I have no idea what pace I ran my training runs. Sometimes I didn't even wear a watch *gasp* . Perhaps it is better that I didn't know because I believed that I could run a qualifying time. I had no idea how difficult it was or how elusive the qualifying time is for some runners.

I ran my first marathon in October 2003 in 3:51:48. I have no idea what my splits were but I sometimes wonder if I would have qualified if my foot hadn't blown up with plantar fasciitis with three miles to go. I walked hobbled the last three miles. But "what ifs" do nothing. So I tried again in Phoenix (4:03) and again in San Diego (4:11) and again in Vermont (4:11) and again in Maine (3:48). I've tried hard. Sometimes I've wondered if the harder I try the more elusive it becomes.

It's not why I run, but Qualifying for Boston will always remain a dream of mine until the day it is realized. My hope is that this year that day will come. I will train hard, but I will also train smart.

To all the runners out there who have qualified and are running today CONGRATULATIONS! Your have trained hard, you have trained smart now run your heart out!

What is your running dream?

--Sarah

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