Yes…what do you read is completely true. I am committed, thinking and training hard to qualify and RUN The Boston Marathon 2009.
Since long time ago I have been playing with the idea of running Boston. Probably it is a huge goal, but I am going to give it a try. If a year is too short to qualify, then I am going to train to qualify for 2010.
Seriously, I want to do it. I know that there is a long way to go because I need to prepare my body as well of my mind to run the qualifying time.

Talking in plain words: My best marathon time is 3 hours 58 (9:06 pace) but in order to qualify I need a time of 3 hours 15 minutes (7:27 pace). Another reference is my 5K time with a PR of 22:09 (7:08 pace) I need to improve that time to 20:00 minutes (6:26 pace) to be ready….Yeah!!! you are right...I am dreaming…well that is all about, I want this dream to come true…and you can help me to get there. I accept advice from all of you runners no matter what running level you are, don’t let me down if my training is going lazy. I am open to run my long runs with you during the weekends, or doing speed work on week days during the night.

I am going to post my training log religious like Da Bull. So, I can keep track of everything.

Keep running 4 your life.

Kily

I will help you by running any race and/or training with you up to 1/2 marathon, but if for some reason you need to wait to 2010 to accomplish this goal, I may......maybe....might run a full marathon with you in late 2009 ...there I say it!

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Later,


charles J.

What race do you plan to try to qualify in? That is really what determines how much time you have to prepare.

I think there are advantages and disadvantages to using the forum as your log, although I think keeping a log is (critically) important.

I am up for some evening speed work (subject to school schedule and commitments); it would be fun to get a few people or a group together.

Anyway, I am sure you can do this and I am also sure that you will get a lot of advice and help from the people out there who have coached, helped others trained, and self-trained. Best of luck!!

sheryl c.

Reliable sources are indicating that the BAA will be increasing the qualification time for the marathon. In other words, you qualification time may go from 3:15 to 3:20-3:30. The discussions that I have read state that in recent years marathon times have gotten slower and Boston is going to respond by making their qualification times slower. I'm sure that if that is going to happen, it will be announced immediately after this year's race.

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Becky Ryder
hryder29@comcast.net
Hattiesburg, MS

Recently, there has been some discussion that BAA is going to change the qualification times so that your time will be 3:20-3:30 instead of the current 3:15. The reasoning is that since marathon times are getting slower, the BAA will respond to this trend. I'm sure if that is going to happen, it will be announced immediately after this year's race.

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Becky Ryder
hryder29@comcast.net
Hattiesburg, MS

Monday- 5 easy miles in the trace @ 8:20 min pace. was cold in the evening, so that help me to feel good at the end.

Kily

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I Run, Therefore I Am

Kily

I possibly would like to qualify as well. I will train with you if I can in any way. Running the long runs with others sure makes the time go by much easier. My qualifying time now is 3:20 and in 2 years the time increases to 3:30. My possible conflict in the near future is that my wife is expecting in August so I may have to train pushing a baby stroller.

Kily, you will make Boston!! Keep everyone posted as to when you are running if you want company!! I know some people are solitary runners and some people are motivated by running mates. You just let us know when you want company/motivation and I am sure some of us would be happy to tag along!!

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Catch you on the run!! Audrey

Who is inspiring? Well, today, it has to be Kily. I have been on a little break from running for 2.5 weeks, and gradually finding my high motivation again and I get on the forum today, and read about Kily's goals. It immediately fired me up. I too would like to qualify for Boston. Not sure if I can do it, but until I prove to myself 100% that I can't, I will be pursuing that goal. Currently, I have run 3:59 and to qualify I would need to run 3:50. This is a big leap for me, but I think in the next 2 years I might be able to do it. For me, this would mean going from 9:06 pace down to 8:46 pace for 26.2 miles.

Thanks Kily - let's do it! What races are you planning to run to qualify? I am trying to decide, but it may be Stennis again for me or possibly New Orleans, Baton Rouge??????, not really sure. I need a cold and flat marathon to make this goal. Any suggestions!

Tuesday: I did some x-training, including walking 30 minutes and a lot of abs...Any kind of abs...Sauna and relax.

Wednesday: I ran 6 miles. 1 WU 9 min pace, 4 mile repetitions 7 min pace and 1 CD 9 min pace. I still need to come back on shape, but I am working on it.

The strategy is running a test marathon in July/August to check if my training is going well, then try to qualify in the Stennis Marathon, if nothing happen, I have Houston as my last chance in January. I am still open to run Mardi Gras in the only case I need it or depending how my body respond to all the process.

I really appreciate all you comments about my goal, I am convinced that need your support to accomplish my goal.

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I Run, Therefore I Am

Kily

Thursday, I ran 7 easy miles at 9 min. pace. I didn’t want to run, but I decided I need it and went out about 10:00 P.M. ran for about one hour. In some point on my running beginning to feel like having shin splints, but still finished strong.

On Saturday, I am planning to run 14 miles in the trace, beginning at 6:00 A.M., from USM to Clyde Depot and back. You are welcome to run with me @ 9 min. pace.

Last Comment, I found a marathon in Salt Lake City, UT for July 24 2008, just at the end of my 16 weeks training. I still don’t decide, because it is on Thursday and I have to work…but I going to try to work it out.

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I Run, Therefore I Am

Kily

My caution for you would be that Salt Lake City is at an elevation of 4,226 and I think this course has a loss in elevation from start to finish. That loss, although minimal, combined with the elevation will be tough on your quads and your overall aerobic response.

If it were me, I would put "all my eggs in one basket" and simply find and train for one marathon in December. The Dallas White Rock in December would be a great choice. The weather is usually good, it is a nice course and has good crowd support. That would allow you plenty of time to train and still recover in time to try again in Jan if you don't make it.

I'm of the opinion that if you want to run a really fast marathon, you need to run no more than 2 within a 12 month period, preferably only 1 marathon a year. Having said this, I would say that your should go hard training for one and then have a backup in case you need to bailout. If you have a specific time goal for a marathon, there is nothing wrong with dropping out if a race if things are not going well and run another at a later date.

I would focus my training for one race, but use many other races, up to 25-30K to build strength, speed and mental toughness. The mental toughness is as important as any other aspect of training, In order to run the time that you wish, you are going to have to experience a high degree of pain during the race and to withstand that, you must experience that same pain during your racing that leads up to the event. To run the time that you strive for, it is going to hurt and you have to be prepared for that pain.

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Becky Ryder
hryder29@comcast.net
Hattiesburg, MS

Thanks to Coach Becky Ryder for all the advices. Again, I still dont decide for any Marathon, but I am going to keep training.

Last Saturday I ran 8 miles easy (instead 14) with Viky and Dawn, was good to find them because I didnt wanted to run.

Sunday - Walk 30 minutes and XT training especially ABS.

Monday - 8 miles 8:50

Tuesday - 7 Miles 8:50

Wednesday - 1 WM, 2 x 1600 @ 7 min., 800 Jog between, 1 CD to complete 6 miles.

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I Run, Therefore I Am

Kily