I've stepped up my training this week, hoping to run a Boston qualifying time within the next ten months. I've reconciled myself to the reality that it will take higher mileage weeks and longer tempo runs to to bring my marathon time down to the 3:20 that I need for Boston.
Can I do it? Yes, I believe I can, I'm going to work off a base of 40 miles a week building to about 55 at the peak. I'm following Hal Higdon's Advanced I plan and I believe that should give me the edge I need to drop my 3:35 time to a 3:20. It's not going to be easy but I plan to follow Hal's schedule for Marine Corps and try to run a sub 3:30 and then stick with it for a spring marathon, either the Shamrock Marathon or the National Marathon, where I'll go after my BQ. If the conditions aren't favorable on race day I may go for Grandma's in June. Either way 2009 will be my BQ year (I hope)!
I am almosting hoping that you will have to try to get the BQ by coming to Grandma's as it would mean another trip out here and Brian and I already got into Grandma's half - thus a fun weekend to be had by all.
Posted by: Jan | August 06, 2008 at 03:30 PM
I'm sure you'd love to have me come to Grandma's, I'd like that too, but I'd also like to have a BQ under my belt by then! Actually I have plenty of time, I don't think I'll BQ at Marine Corps so we'd be looking at the 2010 Boston, but I'd really like jump this hurdle as soon as possible.
Posted by: Neil | August 06, 2008 at 03:45 PM
What does this schedule mean for the JFK? I don't think any of the programs have a 31.1 mile trail run as part of their program!
Posted by: Brian | August 07, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Brian, you make it sound like the JFK is a 50k race! It's 50 MILES my friend.
Posted by: neil | August 07, 2008 at 10:17 PM
What does this schedule mean for the JFK? I don't think any of the programs have a 50 mile training run as part of their program?
Posted by: brian | August 08, 2008 at 09:18 AM