Name Barbara

Sex: Female

Age (at the time of first BQ): 54

Height:  5 foot 4 inches tall

Weight (at the time of first BQ):  125

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

Myrtle Beach in February, I was trying to run 4:05, which was my qualifying time.  My actual time was 4:07:20   I thought I had not qualified until a friend I was running with a couple of weeks later told me that I had qualified because my qualifying time would be different when I actually ran Boston.  When I would run Boston I would be 55 and in a different qualifying time.  What a surprise for me!  This is the best marathon I have ran to this date.

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

I have been running for years, since about 30 years of age.

This was my 2nd marathon ever ,my first marathon was 10 to 11 years prior to this one.

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

Really don’t know.

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

Not sure but I only ran 3 days a week    One  track work, one tempo run and One long run a week.

Approximately how many races did you run in that year?

Two races     a half marathon, and the Marathon

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 followed the First Program — Run less Run Faster

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

No

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

No I did not cross train although the program calls for you to cross train I could never seem to get to it.

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

Yes every week     I did a track work and a tempo run

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

This was the most fun and best run I have ever accomplished I have tried to get a 4 hour marathon twice since this marathon, and have not been able to do it.  I am still working on it, and if I was to accomplish this goal at this point….  I would be 25 minutes faster than my qualifying time.