Thanks Ginny from Happy Feet 26.2 for filling out the questionnaire!

Name: Ginny Happy Feet 26.2

Sex: Female

Age (at the time of first BQ): 41

Height: 5’ 10

Weight (at the time of first BQ): 143

At which marathon did you get your first BQ? What was your time? Tell us a little about the race. 

St. George, Utah, 3:49:17 (needed 3:50:59) – the best marathon out of 19 so far.

How long had you been running when you ran your first BQ? Did you run in college or high school?

I started running my senior year of high school (1986).  I have run off and on since then.  Dec. 2003, I walked my first marathon, Feb. 2005 ran my first marathon, fall 2005 became obsessed with qualifying, fall 2009 finally did it – my 15^th marathon,  April 2010,  I RAN THE BOSTON MARATHON.

What was your approximate lifetime mileage at the time of your first BQ?

I have no idea.

How many miles did you run in the year before your first BQ?

1300-1400

Approximately how many races did you run in that year?

16 – various distances

Did you follow a canned program? If so, which one? If not, can you give us an idea of what your training philosophy was?

I created my own schedule.  Alternated hill repeats and track.    Hard run, followed by 2 easy days.   It was a rotating schedule.  My long runs came up every 9 days, tempo every 9 days, hill repeats or track workouts every 9 days.  (not the standard long run every Sat. or Sun)

Did you run with a running club or utilize a coach?

My running partner was preggo, so I trained mostly solo for this one.

Did cross training play a role in your training? If so, how?

Unlimited yoga the month before the marathon.  Prior to that, 1-2 classes per wk.  Walk or easy bike for recovery.

Any other thoughts you would like to share with those of working towards a BQ?

I max’ed out with 63 miles before my BQ race.  This was my highest mileage, at that time.  For me to BQ, it was a total package effort.  I lost some lbs., I had 2 recovery days after each hard workout, I did unlimited yoga, I hit new high mileage, I incorporated ice baths after hard workouts, I improved my nutrition, and I trained year around.  I also believe racing shorter distances is an important part of training, but not to “over race” leading up to the marathon. Keep running, keep dreaming, it CAN be done even when you don’t have natural talent to BQ.