Name

Phil

Sex:

Male

Age (at the time of first BQ):

24

Height:

5′ 8″

Weight (at the time of first BQ):

145

At which marathon did you get your first BQ?

Chicago

 

Tell us a little about the race.

Signed up on a whim about 6 weeks before the race. I was very fit, coming out of years of competitive HS and college track. Training was approximately hammering an hour run @ 6:15 pace 5 days a week, and surviving 2 long runs that were 2 hours each.

I had no idea how to pace, or hydrate. Started way too fast, approx. 1:20 through the half. Faded, and experienced severe leg cramping in the last 3-4 miles and ended up running 2:50.

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

9 years

Did you run in college or high school?

Yes

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

15000

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

2000

Approximately how many races did you run in that year?

10

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?

No.

 

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

Had a strong lifetime base of mileage at paces that were, in retrospect, too fast. Tons of miles at 6:00-6:20 pace, when I should have been doing easy runs closer to 7:00. Almost all running mileage was tempo, and I was lucky not to be injured more.

Did not do any speed work specific to target marathon pace.

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

Train your body where it is now, not where you wish it would be. If you’re doing the workouts of a faster athlete, or one accustomed to more mileage, you’re not developing your body appropriately. It’s a slow process, but take your time…focus on the long term.