I need to get something out there...for the folks saying they could not ever qualify.
Let me rehash my running story...Please scroll on by if you have heard this before.
I was going to be a "one and done" marathoner. I had been forced to take a leave from work (airline industry, post 9/11). I finally had the time to train even though I was pretty clueless--we just weren't as internet savvy back in 2002. I remember going to the library and checking books out about running. I trained on my own and ran a 4:14. I had no care whatsoever what my time was. The only goal was to finish and it was one of the greatest days of my life.
I loved the experience so much that, I ran a few more marathons (had a couple of babies in between), and finally broke 4 hours. I thought that was pretty awesome and was very proud. Boston NEVER entered my mind and I was happy just plugging away like I had been.
Then I entered the dark years where I was in a lot of pain which was diagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis. I had a surprise pregnancy and the pain started to go away. I ran about 1-2 months after having my youngest ds (2009)--it had been about 2+ years. I ran a 10k a few months later and finished under an hour. I didn't get an official time because they ran out of bibs and told people just to run. I cried in my car on the way home because I was so happy to be able to run again. I waited until spring 2011 to try a marathon again--it had been 4 years since my last marathon. I ran that in 3:58 and was thrilled.
Over the next year, I started changing how I ran. Instead of mindlessly running at the same pace for all my runs, I started running intervals, hills, progressions, and just trying to go faster. I kept it to 4 days/week of running with cross training on the other days. I lived in constant fear that my joint pain would return so I tried to avoid consecutive running days when possible. It was around this time that I started running my long runs fast, at least close to marathon pace. When my marathon came around in May 2012, I knew I had a sub 3:40 in me (3:40 was my BQ time). This was going to be my first attempt ever at a BQ. I went out a little fast but felt good for the race. Around mile 19, I felt a pop in my foot, then lots of pain. It would not stop. I had to alternate run/walking just to finish. I had been ahead of the 3:40 pace group and saw them go by. Then I saw the 3:45 group go by. I wanted to cry (and probably did at some point). I finished in 3:49:30, missing the BQ by less then 10 minutes. It was new PR and everyone congratulated me but I was so sad. I didn't go to the doctor for my foot, but I know it was a stress fracture (I have had my fair share and I am familiar with the feeling).
I was angry that all my hard work and training seemed to be for nothing. About 2 months later, I signed up for The Columbus Marathon in the fall. I have never been so focused on training. Again, I was running 4 days/week, maybe adding an extra short run sometimes. I had never ran a marathon in a different city before and was nervous about the travel logistics. Race morning was perfect fall weather. I went out fast because I was just so excited. I felt amazing during that race. Even the last 6 miles which always seem hard, weren't unbearable. I knew I could slow down considerably and still easily BQ. I kept pushing and was so mentally in tune to that race. I kept telling myself, why settle, let's see how fast I can really run this. I finished in 3:14:11 (I will be 90 yers old and still remember that time). I pr'd by over 35 minutes. Boston 2014, here I come. That day was even better than my first marathon finish.
I hovered around the 3:15-3:30 marathon time for a couple of years and then started kicking it up a notch. I did a few short races over the summer in 2015. I was running times that I would have never believed were from me. I ran a 38:59 10k (previous pr 42:5x) and 18:56 5k (previous pr was 21:02). That was when I really set my sight on a sub 3 hour marathon. I had maybe thought it was possible earlier that year for Boston 2015, but I got a stress fracture in my femur that set training back. I was registered for NYC and I thought that is where I will try to go sub-3. Training had gone well most of the summer until September and a stress fracture in my tibia. It wasn't horrible and I probably ran on it more than I should have. I did a HM in mid/late October as a tune up and pr'd with a 1:26. I think that set any recovery back. I went to NYC and thought I would give it my all and see what happens. I was frustrated from the start--crowded, people SEVERELY mis-corralled, crowded, and then even more crowded. I felt ok until about the half way point and then my leg started hurting. It got worse and worse. I think my last 3 miles were between 9-9:30/mile. I just wanted it to be over. I ended up with a 3:19--not what I was hoping for.
Jump ahead to next spring, Boston 2016. I finally had an injury free training season. I started in wave 2 that year and the weather was perfect (for me) although some would say it was hot for running. I went out fast which is so easy to do at Boston. I was passing people in droves. I felt awesome at the hills and was passing people who had started in wave 1. I knew that sub 3 would be within reach if I stayed strong through mile 21. From there, the race is mostly downhill again. I felt like I had during my Columbus marathon. I knew I could go sub 3, but didn't want to just give up and squeak it. I kept pushing and finished in 2:58:20 (65th OA woman). Another "best day of my life" moment.
That fall I ran Chicago (2016) in 2:59:xx. I was thrilled to know the first time wasn't a fluke. Boston 2017 I set my current pr: 2:56:41. That was extra special because my kids got to see me do it. Twenty days later I came in 2nd in The Flying Pig in 2:59:55.
2018 has been a little tougher. I had a devastating injury last August and fractured my sacrum. That took me out for awhile and shattered my confidence. I get extra freaky about any little twinge or pain. I had a rough Boston this year and was mentally and physically defeated by the weather (3:18), but rebounded somewhat later a few weeks at The Pig (3:05).
I am a masters runner and I don't know if I have peaked or if I am on the "other way down". I do know that I am enjoying the journey and will continue to do this until my body says "hell no".
