I’ve finally really started using twitter (@miloandthecalf) and have found some great runners on there, including Jane from 50 State Canuck.  Jane has not only qualified for Boston, she is also in the process of running marathons in all fifty states! Amazing. Thanks for taking the time to fill this out, Jane!

Name Jane

50statecanuck.blogspot.com

@50statecanuck 

Sex: Female

Age (at the time of first BQ): 28 

Height: 5’8

Weight (at the time of first BQ): 135lbs

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

It was at the Ottawa National Capital Marathon (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)

3:37:42

It’s my home town so that makes it extra special as you see tons of people you know along the route. Additionally, Ottawa is an absolutely beautiful city to run in and much of the course is along the water.

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

In high school I did track – no more than 200m. I thought people who ran long distance were crazy! When I started grad school I found myself in a lab full of long distance runners who just pretty much told me I would now be running long distance – and sure enough, 2 months later I was running my first half marathon! That was 2002 – age 24. By the spring of 2006 I had run 3 half marathons and 5 marathons and in May of that year, I qualified for Boston. Note: I have never run a race distance less than a half marathon. Ever.

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

I have absolutely no idea. When I look back at my “training” I don’t know how I even qualified. I had no structure, I didn’t track my mileage – I just ran.

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

Again, I have absolutely no idea. The year leading up however, I ran 2 marathons and a half marathon, so I was consistently running.

Approximately how many races did you run in that year?

3

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

No program – I think I probably just looked at a bunch of different ones available online and just created my own based on those and what my work (and social) schedule would allow.

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

I ran on my own for most of it – occasionally ran with some friends who were hoping to qualify for Boston as well.

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

Yes, but not because I wanted it to. At the time I worked part-time as a personal trainer and fitness instructor at the YMCA and taught 3-5 aerobic and strength training group classes a week and did a lot of strength training on my own because of my job.

Did speed work play a role or specific workouts play a role in your training? If so, how?

No – I didn’t learn the MASSIVE benefits of speed work until after I qualified for Boston!!

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

It is a very cool race but I have now run 13 marathons and 13 half marathons and know that there are TONS of really awesome races out there – that you don’t need to qualify for. When/if you make it, you’ll love it. But along the way, enjoy some of the other amazing races out there – use it as an excuse to see the world! I’m working on racing in every US state and in addition to Canadian races, I have also raced in Bermuda and Ireland. I have no favorites as each one is unique