S/o BQ...

[katyintx]

Sorry!  I'm that new kid that keeps posting a million questions, but I just want to pick y'all's brains!  I could talk about running all day, really, but others usually aren't as into it...  

For those of you that have BQ'd, how did you get there?  When did you start seriously doing distance races?  Did you start mostly with halfs and work up?  How long did that take?  And assuming you didn't start running at a BQ time (which if you did, I'm so jealous), what times did you start out at?

I have the beginnings of a BQ dream that I'm trying to decide if it's realistic or not. I just got back into being serious about running again about 6 months ago, and before that it was mainly a leisurely 5k here and there with the BolderBoulder every year (10k).  When I started training for the half (and my disastrous full), I was barely running 9:15s, and I've knocked it down to 8:40s. Obviously that's still not BQ caliber, but I'm wondering if it's within the realm of possibility considering it's only been 6 months...  Oh and I'm in the 18-34 age group.


Sorry to ramble!  I'm just trying to figure out if anyone has busted ass from the point I'm at now and been able to BQ, or if y'all started quite a bit faster?  Any advice or words of wisdom are welcome!  

[jordylee]

I'll bite. For me, a BQ was never something that I thought I was capable of, and I was ok with that. I have run for a long time, but am not a "natural" runner. I ran cross country in high school to stay in shape for basketball. Pretty sure my best time was 24:xx. Ran casually through college but didn't race much. In 2006, I ran my first half as a "cross it off the bucket list" kind of thing and finished in 2:04. A few years later (2009), I decided to train for another half and had a goal of breaking 2:00. I finished in 2:04 again, but I got hooked on longer distances. The next year, I ran another half (1:59), and decided that my next goal was to run a marathon.

In 2010, I ran my first marathon. I followed a training plan, but other than that I had no idea what I was doing. I ended up finishing pretty poorly (compared to what I wanted) in 4:44. So by no means did I start out as a fantastic runner. The next year, I saw a lot of improvement in my half times (I think the long slow runs from marathon training made me faster in shorter distances). I decided to run another marathon with a goal of breaking 4 hours. I missed it by 4 minutes, and was crushed. I took a month or so off and hopped right back into training for a spring marathon. I wanted to prove to myself that I could break 4 hours. I finished marathon #3 in 3:58, and was ELATED.

After that, I quit my job, sold my house, and spent 10 months travelling. I didn't run anything longer than 8 miles, but did a lot of insanity videos, hiking, and shorter runs. I was at altitude, so my paces were abysmal and I felt horribly out of shape. When I got back to the states, job hunting had me stressed to the max. I took it out on the pavement. I ramped up my mileage (probably quicker than I should have) and was training at paces that used to be race paces. I ended up landing a job and moving to Chicago, so of course the Chicago marathon was on my radar.

For my previous marathons, I used a 4 day a week program. I decided to challenge myself and do a 5 day a week program with some speedwork thrown in. I did a fair bit of track work over the summer, and did a lot of tempo workouts. I dragged my poor H out on his bike to come with me for my long runs. I didn't have a goal, I was just running and running and running. Higher mileage and more speedwork than I had ever done before. I lost some weight. About 8 weeks into the training cycle, I had a super secret goal of BQing. I didn't tell anyone, not even my husband. Like if I told someone, they would think I was crazy. I thought I was crazy. But as the training cycle went on, I started to get more confident. On my last 20 mile run, I decided that I wanted to push myself harder than I normally would to test the waters and see if I might have what it took. And I ended up averaging 8 minute miles the whole way. I still didn't tell anyone IRL that my goal was to BQ until about 2 weeks before the race.

My H was worried that I would put too much pressure on myself, burn out, and be crushed if it didn't happen. I was worried too. I went back and forth about it. Should I try? Was it worth the risk of hitting the wall early and having a horrible race? Could I REALLY do it? Race day came around, and it was a perfect 47 degrees. My legs felt amazing. I felt amazing. All the stars aligned, and I decided to go for it. I finished in 3:32, which for me is a BQ -3. I thought I was going to have a panic attack when I crossed the finish line.. I don't think I've ever had such a huge flood of emotions at one time.

Sorry that was such a novel! I want to finish by saying that if its a goal you have, you can take the steps to get there by setting smaller goals along the way. I never even had a BQ as a goal until I was almost there. My first marathon was more than an HOUR slower than my BQ. You can get there, but it takes a lot lot lot of work.

[nabum]

jordylee your story is so inspiring! I've run a 4:50 marathon but also a sub-2:00 half so I know a faster full is in me someday. I love hearing that with hard work it's possible to BQ.

[katyintx]

Thank you SO much for posting that! I also was never really a "natural" runner, and I was also a cc runner for the sole purpose of being better at basketball. And my first marathon was absolutely horrible... BUT I'm getting better, and definitely enjoying it now.

I agree with nabum, your story is definitely inspiring! Who knows if I'll ever get there, but now I at least know it's possible. Thanks again for answering - and you're kind of a rockstar!

[clseale]

I'll share, and try to do my best to keep it short. I started running distance in late 2009/early 2010. My second race ever, was a marathon. LOL! Not something I recommend. I was talked into it. It was nothing I ever had a desire to do, or thought I would do again. I half assed it, went in horribly undertrained, and I ran (death crawled) a 5:10.

After that, I knew I could do better if I actually tried. I built a bit over the next year, and then trained with the equivalent of a Hal Higdon novice plan (I think I peaked in the upper 30s), and ran a 4:28 in June 2011.

Once I saw what a little training could do, I did some speed work, built more mileage, peaked at 50 MPW, and ran a 4:03 Feb 2012. Huh. I was onto something. Training works!

Next up was Surf City, exactly one year later. More mileage building, peaked at 62 MPW , and ran a 3:46. Higher mileage works for me! A BQ wasn't even on my radar, until after this race.

Next up was Chicago (10/2013.) When training started, I had a BQ in mind. About half way through training however, I started having serious calf & hamstring issues. After a few more weeks, I let go of the BQ, and started focusing on any speed work I could manage, for a PR. (I really wanted sub-3:40) Looking at weekly mileage, I had no business PRing, yet I somehow, despite a painful hamstring on race day, managed a 3:39. That PR was all about speed work. I'm still not sure how it happened with how little I ran.

After Chicago, I decided to focus on strengthening my hamstring, healing a bit, and then, after 6 cutback weeks, I trained with Pfitz's 12/55 plan for a January full. I felt fairly confident that if I was healthy, I could possibly BQ. This was the first time I really wanted it. Followed the plan religiously, and ran 3:33:59, my BQ.

Ok, I realize that wasn't short. Lol To sum up, yes, it 's definitely possible. Many of us have come a long way & seen huge gains. If you do the work, you can get there.

ETA: cinco is another one who has come a long way. I think her first full was around my time, and I'm pretty sure her PR is in the mid to low 3:20s....I think. Idk. She's getting ready to set another PR in 2 wks. cinco , get your speedy butt in here , and tell your story. 

[chw57]

I had been running off and on for 6 years when I ran my first marathon (I did two halves before I signed up).  I ran 4:41 without really following a training plan.
A year later, I followed more of a plan (but still maxed out around 40 miles a week) and ran 4:14.
A year after that, I was far more disciplined, cross trained with spin classes, ran more quality long runs, and ran 3:47. That's when I thought a BQ might be possible.
Two years later, I used the Pfitz 12/55 Plan to train for San Francisco.  I thought that there was NO WAY I could PR on that course, so I didn't really focus on my time during the race. I ran 3:32 (still my PR, even though I've now run a total of 9 marathons).

I think it takes awhile to build up a good running base, and you have to be really disciplined, but I definitely think it's possible if you find the right plan/race.

[kams]

At the risk of sounding really sappy, I am so impressed by and so proud of you all. Such hard work that paid major dividends. Amazing!

[runaways]

I love reading all your stories! So many incredible women here.

[hurricanedrunk]

Really inspiring stories ladies! I enjoyed reading about the different running journeys.

[cinco]

I have always been a runner, but I didn't start running races until after college. I ran my first marathon at 22 to impress a boy. It totally worked (although he didn't put a ring on it for another 5 years ). I trained with a group, so I can't say I was ill prepared, but I focused on the long runs only. It was painful and I finished in 5:30ish. I stuck to shorter races and was consistently in the 10 min/mile range for all races. I raced for fun and did not have a competitive bone in my body.

After I had my second child, I started running a little more, pushing that double jogger in my hilly 'hood, and I bought a Garmin. All of a sudden I had all this data, and I started to get a little competitive with myself. I ran a half less than a year after DS was born and finally broke 2 hours (1:58), after being in the 2:10-2:15 range forever. I started to train faster, added in more miles, and a few months later I ran a 1:48. I decided to give the marathon another try and finished my second in 3:50. From there I got hooked and have signed up for 2 a year, with the exception of pregnancy years or time off for injuries. It took a *this close* attempt in Shamrock where I finished less than a minute off a BQ for me to decide to train for one. I switched from a Hal Higdon plan to Advanced Marathoning (Pfitz 18/55), and it made a huge difference for me. I went down to a 3:28, and then a 3:21, and was able to finish strong. Since baby #3 I've been working to get back to those times, and it takes mileage in the 50+ range, speedwork, a little bit of weight loss (I struggled with it post baby), sleep (also, no surprise, a struggle post baby). I'll also need a bit of luck on race day with weather/crowds. It's important IMO not to have just one end game of a BQ or a PR in a race. You are training months for one day and you need to be okay with the fact that the weather could be crap, or you could be sick, or it may be on off day.

[labbie]

I agree- reading these stories gives me hope. I'm not sure if I have a BQ in me, but I have already noticed what cross/strength training and consistency has done to improve my running this time around versus the last time I got into it and half-assed it to slug through a race here and there.

Seeing some of the time improvements you ladies have shared makes me realize that I may actually have another route to getting faster- and not have to rely on making it to age 75 to get into the Boston marathon (my current marathon pace, lol!)

[mrshandy]

This thread is definitely inspirational!

I wish I had time to do the Pfitz 18/55 this time around. But I may try next time around!

[Wines Not Whines]

I love these stories!

For those of you who have seen huge improvements in your marathon times, what do you think were the most important factors for improvement, other than actually training (for those of you who didn't train for your first)? It sounds like it's a combination of (1) more experience running long distances; (2) higher mileage training plans (in the 50-60 mpw range, vs 35-40 mpw); (3) speed work. Can you elaborate on what you think the biggest factors were for you?

I've dropped my marathon time by almost 30 minutes, but I think I still have much faster times in me.  

[bostonmichelle]

This is really inspiring. It has always been a pipe dream bucket list item to run the Boston marathon. I always figured I would get on a charity team at some point and that would be my only way in.

[gt7301b]

I haven't BQed, but from watching others (my husband and his friends) try and BQ, there also appears to be a huge mental aspect to BQing. I know for me just running one marathon was a total mind game, it seems like the pressure of BQing adds an entire different level of craziness. Can y'all talk about what you did to mentally keep it all together.
jordylee
clseale
chw57
cinco

[clseale]

Apr 8, 2014 7:07:04 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I love these stories!

For those of you who have seen huge improvements in your marathon times, what do you think were the most important factors for improvement, other than actually training (for those of you who didn't train for your first)? It sounds like it's a combination of (1) more experience running long distances; (2) higher mileage training plans (in the 50-60 mpw range, vs 35-40 mpw); (3) speed work. Can you elaborate on what you think the biggest factors were for you?

I've dropped my marathon time by almost 30 minutes, but I think I still have much faster times in me.  

When looking at my improvements, I toss out marathon #1. If I do that, I still have a 25 minute PR between race #2 and race #3, and a 17 min PR between #3 and #4. So, 42 minutes off of my time, in less than 2 yrs.

I would say those were 95% higher mileage, more experience on race day, and getting comfortable being uncomfortable during training and during the race. I did very little traditional speed work during those training cycles (although I did do a good bit of MP runs for #4). Mileage building, and just pushing to run just a bit faster during training was huge for me.

My running partner gets so annoyed, because she's the one who made me faster, and now I'm considerably faster than her. When we were training for race #3, her PR was 20 min faster than mine. I pushed to keep up with her during training, and on race day, I came in 4 minutes ahead of her. My PR is now 17 minutes faster than her time. Training with faster people is a great tool! (As long as they are not too much faster.)

This past year, when you combine Chicago and Celebration, I took another 12 minutes off of my time in 11 months. Those were all about speed work. I think you reach a point, where mileage just isn't going to get you those big gains anymore, and you really have to push and work at it. Lots of track sessions, and a solid amount of tempo and MP runs. I'm getting back into track right now, to hopefully drop my pace a bit and have a shot at sub-3:30 (lol, that sounds crazy to me) in the fall.  

 

[runaways]

Apr 8, 2014 7:03:08 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

This thread is definitely inspirational!

I wish I had time to do the Pfitz 18/55 this time around. But I may try next time around!

I haven't BQed obviously, but picking up Pfitz-level mileage got me a 30+ minute PR in 3 months. My next marathon is definitely going to be a BQ attempt and I'm totally sold on his plans.

[clseale]

gt7301b, I think I was really fortunate with the way my races have played out. I never really wanted to BQ. Well, I didn't want to, in the sense that it wasn't on my radar as a possibility. I wasn't like some of those poor people you see, who chase it race, after race, after race, and continue to miss it by small margins. That has to be so mentally & emotionally exhausting. I also think I'm pretty in tune with my body, and I have a solid grip on the reality of my running. I think that point is huge.

When I was training for Chicago, I definitely wanted it. Fortunately, I was honest with myself, and when I saw what my injuries were doing to my training, I was smart enough to reassess my goals. That wasn't giving up, it was being honest with where my body was at, the work I was able to put in, and what I was capable of at that point in time. I don't think everyone does that. I think some people are not nearly honest enough with themselves. It allowed me to go into Chicago with a positive attitude, and a new goal. At no point during that race, was I going for it. I think many people would have, having not put in the work, and they would have been beating themselves up for 26.2 miles w/a really disappointing finish. I didn't have to rush it. I knew a BQ would be there when I was ready, and while it sucks when things/injuries derail your plans, I just wasn't there last October.

Now I really wanted it in January, but I still knew at the end of the day, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Maybe that goes back to it never really being a long time dream of mine? I don't know. I would have been really bummed if I didn't do it, and I was thrilled & emotional when I crossed the finish line, but during the race, I just took it mile by mile. Based on training, I knew it would be close. I didn't put the pressure of an exact pace on myself. I tried to let my legs do what made them happy, and I was really happy when I saw that their happy pace that day, should be a BQ.

I was lucky that I was enough ahead of it that it was never too tense. The last few miles got a little nerve racking, but it never got to the point where I was just going to squeak in with a few seconds to spare. I could see how that could totally wear people down, and cause them to fall apart in the final miles. I knew if I just kept it steady, I could pull it off.

So I guess for me, it really wasn't that much more of a mental battle than any other race. If it was something I had been chasing for years, I might be telling a different story.

[mrshandy]

Apr 8, 2014 7:56:06 GMT -5 runaways said:

Apr 8, 2014 7:03:08 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

This thread is definitely inspirational!

I wish I had time to do the Pfitz 18/55 this time around. But I may try next time around!

I haven't BQed obviously, but picking up Pfitz-level mileage got me a 30+ minute PR in 3 months. My next marathon is definitely going to be a BQ attempt and I'm totally sold on his plans.

Interesting. I will definitely check out his book. I like the two rest days. I just have to figure out how to fit in 10+ mile runs mid-week working full time and with two kids.  I mean who needs sleep?

[chw57]

Apr 8, 2014 7:22:50 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I haven't BQed, but from watching others (my husband and his friends) try and BQ, there also appears to be a huge mental aspect to BQing. I know for me just running one marathon was a total mind game, it seems like the pressure of BQing adds an entire different level of craziness. Can y'all talk about what you did to mentally keep it all together.
jordylee
clseale
chw57
cinco

I think the main thing for me was that there wasn't that pressure. A few weeks before the race, this article "The Race Even Marathoners Fear" was posted and I realized I needed to just enjoy the race because the chance of a PR was slim.  I didn't run with a pace group, and I only remember checking my watch at one mile (around 9 minutes...so I definitely didn't go out too fast!) and the half (1:46, so I ended up running even halves).  

Not feeling the pressure and not obsessing over my time really helped, as did the absolutely PERFECT racing weather.  I've seen a lot of stuff lately about not wearing a watch and just running by feel (like this article) and I think it can really work! 

[chw57]

Apr 8, 2014 8:43:02 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Apr 8, 2014 7:56:06 GMT -5 runaways said:

I haven't BQed obviously, but picking up Pfitz-level mileage got me a 30+ minute PR in 3 months. My next marathon is definitely going to be a BQ attempt and I'm totally sold on his plans.

Interesting. I will definitely check out his book. I like the two rest days. I just have to figure out how to fit in 10+ mile runs mid-week working full time and with two kids.  I mean who needs sleep?

I know it's not ideal, but I sometimes broke that up and did 5 before work and 7 after

[jene]

I love reading all the stories in this thread!

[psyri]

I have lots of thoughts on this topic that will have to wait til I'm not trying to type on my phone!

I trained for a BQ for my 3rd marathon. Ran 3:52, which was a PR by a few minutes but not the BQ I hoped for. Trained again for a BQ for my 4th marathon. Ran 3:31. PRed by over 21 minutes and got my BQ. Part of it was sheer luck in having a perfect race where everything came together at exactly the right time. But part of it was running slightly farther and faster (I used Hal Higdon's intermediate 1 with an extra 3-4 miles per week, so it is possible to BQ with a HH plan), pace runs 15 seconds faster than my goal marathon pace, not getting injured, yoga, strength training, and mental skills. I had a lot of practice on training runs at keeping myself focused and not getting too excited or too upset. When "Boston is going to happen today" started popping into my head during the marathon, I went with it as my race mantra.

[cinco]

Apr 8, 2014 7:07:04 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

I love these stories!

For those of you who have seen huge improvements in your marathon times, what do you think were the most important factors for improvement, other than actually training (for those of you who didn't train for your first)? It sounds like it's a combination of (1) more experience running long distances; (2) higher mileage training plans (in the 50-60 mpw range, vs 35-40 mpw); (3) speed work. Can you elaborate on what you think the biggest factors were for you?

I've dropped my marathon time by almost 30 minutes, but I think I still have much faster times in me.  

My PR's were mostly due to increased mileage. I'm not willing to do more than 60 mpw, so I'm hoping to focus more on speed work next cycle. For me this includes more racing of the shorter distances, esp. 5k's. They hurt so good, lol.

[cinco]

Apr 8, 2014 7:22:50 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I haven't BQed, but from watching others (my husband and his friends) try and BQ, there also appears to be a huge mental aspect to BQing. I know for me just running one marathon was a total mind game, it seems like the pressure of BQing adds an entire different level of craziness. Can y'all talk about what you did to mentally keep it all together.
jordylee
clseale
chw57
cinco

I try to avoid looking at the Garmin after the first few adrenaline filled miles. I think it helps. I didn't even know I had a BQ in Steamtown until I saw the clock at the end, and I had over 10 min to spare. I have lots of race anxiety before shorter races, but tend to feel more relaxed in marathons (and also slightly cocky :/ I'm not in real life, but it comes out during a race)

[thom]

This is an awesome thread & question katyintx! I'm loving these stories & feeling seriously inspired. I know I'll come back again to read them more carefully & soak up the details. Bravo ladies!!

[clseale]

Slightly off-topic. cinco, how did you like Steamtown? I was looking at it and would really love to run it this year, but due to our fall vacation plans, I think the only full I'm going to be able to pull off, is Savannah.

Steamtown looks like a fantastic PR course! I'm not really confident that my small BQ-1 min will get me in when registration opens this fall, so I'm planning a fall race in the hopes of having a time for 2016, if I need it.

[cinco]

Apr 8, 2014 9:37:00 GMT -5 clseale said:

Slightly off-topic. cinco, how did you like Steamtown? I was looking at it, and would really love to run it this year, but due to our fall vacation plans, I think the only full I'm going to be able to pull off, is Savannah.

Steamtown looks like a fantastic PR course! I'm not really confident that my small BQ-1 min will get me in, when registration opens this fall, so I'm planning a fall race in the hopes of having a time for 2016, if I need it.

I loved it. I thought it was well organized and the course is a good one for me. I know others think it is too hard on the quads, but I like a downhill course. The size was perfect for getting a PR and still having great crowd support. I'd love to do it again some time, but my budget does not approve of me travelling for more than one race a year. I can at least make the excuse of visiting family for Myrtle Beach. From a spouse point of view, DH liked this one too. He could see me twice and it was logistically very easy. 

[katyintx]

Thank you all for answering! It's totally inspiring to see the improvements you made from the beginning to your BQ race. And man, y'all are speedy! Someday...

I know I've probably got a couple more marathons to get under my belt until I can seriously think about running those kind of times, but now at least I know what training programs definitely seem to work!

I was wondering along the same lines as mrshandy, those of you that follow the Pfitz programs, when do you find time to do the long mid-week runs (assuming you don't split them up)? 

[gumi]

DO NOT SPLIT UP RUNS.
it defeats the entire purpose of the run.

When I did marathons, before kids, I did my mid-week long runs before work. But if you do a Pfitz plan, he has you running relatively fast so it doesn't take very long.

I went from 4 hours to 3:38 just by increasing mileage. And then 3:38 to 3:20 following Pfitz plan. And then I quit marathons.

I think the key to a BQ is pace runs and the right course. If you follow a Pfitz plan and hit the paces necessary for a BQ, then you have the mental confidence to know you can on race day.