Me, qualify for Boston? You must be crazy!

From time to time, I take a look back at my past runs to see how I'm improving (or not improving). If I've been putting together sluggish runs, looking back helps me see if I've had enough rest days, or if I've been running too hard. Looking back also helps me see how I was running on days leading up to races where I PR'd.

 

After this morning's 8-mile run, I decided to look wayyyyyyy back. To Feb. 3, 2008. Boy, how things have changed for me.

 

On Feb. 3, 2008, I ran for 1:05:28, covering 6.55 miles. My average heart rate for the entire run, which was done on a flat trail, was 77.5 percent of my maximum heart rate. My average pace was a 10:00 mile.

 

Today (Feb. 3, 2009), I ran for 1:03:13, covering 8.28 miles. It just so happens that my average heart rate for the entire run was also 77.5 percent of my max heart rate, and this course had hills at the end of Mile 1, 4, and 5. My average pace was 7:38 mile.

 

So, basically doing a run at the same effort, I'm darn near two miles per hour faster.

 

The thing in my head now is this: After today, I felt like I could have run another 8 miles in the same pace, if not faster. Which leads me to this: A 7:38 mile run 26.2 times is a 3:20 marathon, which would qualify me for some big race in the Northeast they call the Boston Marathon. And now I'm thinking this: Should I try to BQ at the Cowtown Marathon on Feb. 28?

 

My answer: Hellllllls No.

 

I need to 1) get through a marathon without cramping, then 2) try to get in under 4 hours. Those will be my primary goals for Cowtown. There will be other marathons to try to qualify for Boston.