The Boston Qualifier Questionnaire

For many runners, myself included, a Boston Marathon qualifying time (a “BQ”) is the pinnacle of achievement in the sport. I think it is safe to say I am obsessed with getting a BQ. One day on the roads I thought it might be interesting to start asking other runners I “know” either in real life or on the internet about their experience getting into the race. Hence was born the BQ Questionnaire, or BQ(Q) for short.

On this page I organize the responses I have gotten by sex and age grouping. Some of the runners interviewed here are gifted and BQed on their first marathon.  Others tried for years. We can learn from all of them.

Below the responses is a blank form of the BQ(Q). If you have run a BQ, please fill it out and email it to me at miloandthecalf at gmail dot com

Thanks!

Women 18-34

Kristy

Laura

Lindsay

Janae J

Stephanie T

Candice S

Men 18 – 34

Abe M

Craig

Darrell R

Doug O

Greg R

Bash Z

Jason B

Josh H 

Cory M

Jeff E

Mike G

Mike D

James S

Tim T

Men 35-40

Chris H

Don S

Eric M

James D

Joe H

Keith G

Kevin B

Michael H

Wally D

Women 35-40

Jennifer B

Julie B

Pam

Sarah

Women 40-44

Ginny

Men 40-44

Dirk H

Lance H

Greg C

Michael P

Paul G

Tim E

Dave E

Women 45-50

Dari W

Men 45-50

Bob D 

Steve W

Men 50-54

Paul F

Keith A

George

Women 55-60

Ilene

Men 55- 60

Ron

The BQ Questionnaire

Thank you for agreeing to fill out the BQ Questionnaire. Please answer the questions in as much detail as you can and email your response to miloandthecalf at gmail com. I and other runners working towards a BQ could learn from your experience. Thanks again for taking part!

1. Give us the vitals:
   1. Name (and website/blog/twitter if applicable):
   2. Sex:
   3. Age (at the time of first BQ):
   4. Height:
   5. Weight (at the time of first BQ):
2. At which marathon did you get your first BQ? What was your finishing time? Tell us a little about the race.
3. How long had you been running when you ran your first BQ? Did you run in college or high school?
4. What was your approximate lifetime mileage at the time of your first BQ?
5. How many miles did you run in the year before your first BQ?
6. Approximately how many races did you run in that year?
7. Did you follow a canned program? If so, which one? If not, can you give us an idea of what your training philosophy was?
8. Did you run with a running club or utilize a coach?
9. Did cross training play a role in your training? If so, how?
10. Did speed work play a role or specific workouts play a role in your training? If so, how?
11. Any other thoughts you would like to share with those of working towards a BQ?