Name

Megan

Sex:

Female

Age (at the time of first BQ):

24

Height:

5’5”

Weight (at the time of first BQ):

130

At which marathon did you get your first BQ?

Lehigh Valley PA

Tell us a little about the race.

Course was boring and I slowed down a bit toward the end due to mental fatigue more than physical. Warm day, family was there at multiple points to see me.

How long had you been running when you ran your first BQ?

10 years

Did you run in college or high school?

Yes

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

8-10000

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

[didn’t answer]

Approximately how many races did you run in that year?

no

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

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

No.

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

I biked a few times but not with any regularity – since my first BQ I have done more cross training (biking, resistance, hiking, yoga) and my runs have improved.

 

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

Yes- speed work 1-2 days per week, focusing on pure speed and speed endurance. Marathons are not only about endurance – a little speed work can make the experience more enjoyable!

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

Don’t give up – it’s an incredible feeling to know that you’ve qualified for Boston, and even more so to actually run it. Find a plan – online, club, coach – and stick to it… Trust your training … Better to be underprepared than over.