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So it’s finally sinking in. I did it. Almost 2 years ago I started running. Shortly thereafter I had the audacity to think I could qualify for Boston. A little under a year ago, my first shot ended in a Frankenstein’s Monster walk (3:54). Next came the surprise of Boston 2010 as an invitational runner ending in heartbreak on Heartbreak Hill (3:32). That was followed 2 weeks later with the oppressive heat and humidity of Providence (3:30). Although I finished each of those marathons, they all ended in a failed attempt to qualify. I was inching closer, but a BQ still seemed like an impossibly difficult dream.
But two and a half weeks ago, I did it. 3:19:19. I qualified for Boston with a little room to spare. It has finally sunk in (I was one of the lucky one who signed up Monday morning at 9AM when registration opened). With New York less than 3 weeks away I have been wondering, “what now?” Whether I decide to gun for 3:15 in New York or not, the truth is, for the last 16 months I have been focusing on one thing – a BQ. As amazing as the feeling of finally accomplishing that goal was, the joy was in the journey. My three failed attempts fueled a fire and made the story that much more meaningful to me.
That journey is done, and despite my growing excitement for the New York Marathon and my anticipation of running Boston in both 2011 and 2012 (hopefully), I am now left with a feeling that something is missing. In my world of running, I have done it! I have achieved my goal. It is time for a new journey. So what’s next? What’s the next goal? I’m still not sure, but here are two things that I am considering.
First, the probably impossible dream of a sub-3:00 marathon. Despite taking nearly 35 minutes off of my marathon time in just over 11 months, the idea of taking off another 20 minutes sounds downright insane. Plus, at my age, I’ll be lucky if I don’t start slowing down significantly very soon. Still, it’s alluring. Much like being able to say I BQ’d, how cool would it be to be able to say I had a sub-3:00 marathon under my belt?
The other possibility that I am seriously thinking about (and yes, Doug, I do remember that I did promise I would do it if I qualified for Boston at Smuttynose) is running the Vermont 50 this coming September. I have never run an ultra, and 50 miles is about as far as I ever want to go. I am definitely intrigued by the idea. But this isn’t just 50 flat miles. No, this is 50 miles through the Vermont terrain. The elevation profile frightens me. Because Smuttynose was run late in the year, I actually not only qualified for Boston 2011, but also Boston 2012 as well, so there won’t be the urgency of running another marathon in the fall – that is if the BAA doesn’t change the requirements for qualifying in light of this years rapid close. If they do, that may be the tipping point for me.
So, what do you think? Do I go back to Hampton next October and shoot for a sub-3:00 marathon or do I head to the mountains of Vermont and run a 50 mile race?
Fortunately, I don’t have to decide just yet, so I’m going to concentrate on New York. 3:15 anyone?
Run Luau Run 
Vermont 50 definitely! I have 3 woman friends that run it each year, they are great ultra babes and I hope to be there next year in a first aid station. Enjoy NY and 3:15, cake for you!
I know how you’re feeling. Like you, I spent many months focusing on hitting my BQ time. Once I achieved it in Oct. 2009, I had a huge feeling of accomplishment wash over me, followed by … hmmm, not a let down, but definitely a lack of a goal. As you said, the joy had been in the journey. It wasn’t till late December, fully 2 months and change after I’d qualified, that I finally snapped out of it and said, “OK, you reached one mountain top, but there’s a higher peak out there. CLIMB IT!”
I wanted to thoroughly enjoy the Boston experience, but I didn’t want to embarrass myself or let down the many people who had supported and encouraged me along the way. That became my focal point: enjoy it and make them proud. In the end, I accomplished both those goals.
You’re entitled to some time of relishing in your BQ. It’s great that you have another marathon so soon after – it gives you a solid goal. (I didn’t have any big races after my BQ, which was part of my problem.) I’m sure you’ll let me know what you decide to do in NYC: 3:15 or ‘fun.’ Either way, I’m looking forward to meeting you there.
As for your next big ‘mountain’ to climb … you’ve got two great goals in mind. Challenging, no doubt, but you’ve proven up to whatever challenge you toss down. You’ll get it! Good luck!
The joy is indeed in the journey so be sure to in-joy the NYC Marathon. I know that this time of preparation for Bermuda 2013 brings incredible joy to my heart and that running the actual marathon will be anti climactic. After being told no running ever again last October to now training for my next 10K and on Halloween running my 5th race in 5 months is all pretty amazing – much as your BQ. We all have our mile stones and peak experiences. So go have a great time in NYC. Enjoy the crowds, Central Park in the fall and revel in your accomplishments — take it as a joyous victory lap.
How about both? If you’re worried about slowing significantly soon, then shoot for speed now, and the ultra afterward.
I’m at the same cross-roads and wondering what’s next (after New York City and Boston, of course). I’m thinking of going for a New York City qualifier (3:23 for me… 17 min faster than BQ for my age group). I’ve also toyed with the idea of an ultra, though I’d start with a 50k. But either way, you are right – it’s the process of setting and achieving the goal, of getting past the stumbling blocks and the heartbreaks, that makes the end product so rewarding. And I know you’ll find joy and purpose in whatever you choose to go after next.
I had the same suggestion as Claire — make your next goal to qualify for New York. I also think the ultra would be fun, just because then you could say, “I’m an ultrarunner.” Or, if your body will allow it, maybe try for back-to-back marathons to get into the Marathon Maniacs club?
Layla – went to check out the Marathon Maniacs. I think I actually already qualified for their Bronze level back in April when I did Boston and then Providence 13 days apart. May have to send in an application just to get the certificate! 🙂
How about the Disney 1/2 marathon on Sat and a full on Sunday? You can get a Donald Duck medal for the half and a Mickey medal for the full and if you do both in the same weekend you get a Goofy medal.
The Goofy is actually something I would like to do somewhere down the line…
Throw in the 5K they have on Friday, and you can do the (unofficial) Dopey Challenge. You don’t get another medal though.
I was actually thinking about doing this recently, but the 5:30 start time sounded brutal (not to mention that a park pass is not included in the exhorbitant entry fee, and walking around the parks with the kids after both races doesn’t sound like much fun).
Dude:
I think we are runners separated at birth. I felt the same, “what do I do now” not when I first qualified, but after I ran the race. As you know or will find out, just like the Lakers (no I’m not a Lakers fan) keep wanting to come back for more hardware so will you. there’s always next year’s marathon ,another PR, and another 47 states to run a marathon in. Can’t wait to rock Boston with you and the other twitter/DailyMilers in April. Yes…I got my “golden ticket” on Monday too;
http://seekingbostonmarathon.blogspot.com/2010/10/did-you-get-your-golden-ticket.html
I enjoyed that post!
I’m in the same boat – checked of Boston, so now what? I’m doing the ultra thing in March (50K to start), and part of me wants to just scale back the distance a bit and focus on the 5K, which I think suits my running ability better anyway (and I love speedwork). I think my next target after Boston may be a sub 18:00 5K – it’s a reach, but what is a goal worth if it isn’t going to be hard to attain? VT 50 is a consideration as well, but we’ll see how the 50K goes before I decide for certain on that.
Huh…I never thought of going in the other direction. I feel like a dope not thinking about that. A sub-18:00 5K. Now THAT would be pretty darn cool. Of course, I’d have to take 98 seconds off of my PR. Hmmm. Less of a time commitment on Sundays too. More food for thought…more food for thought.
Thanks everybody for your suggestions! A lot to consider!
the joy is always in the journey:) i say go for the 50– that’s a hell of an achievement to tell the grandkids someday!
Another one to think about is the Lake Tahoe marathon. They have a standard marathon on Sunday, but you can also run around the entire lake by doing 3 marathons in 3 days. You can also do the whole lake in one 72 mile ultra shot. And if you’re really nuts, you can do the super-triple, which is a marathon on each of the first 2 days, then running the 72 mile ultra on the third. The altitude and mountains make it all the more fun!
I think I just collapsed trying to comprehend that…I can’t imagine doing the super-triple!
Luau, good that you are thinking about this early. After my first BQ back in 2002 (I didn’t run it until 2004), I got complacent. Turned around and ran Boston in 3:56, my worst marathon time (and experience) ever. Yes, it was a really hot day, but I know I just wasn’t prepared. The race itself was anti-climactic. I think the 3:00 goal is a realistic one, and something you can measure you progress towards. No need to be in a real rush to get there, you can set a string of new PRs along the way.
Thanks Greg. I was thinking just along those line earlier today…in a perfect fantasy world I had myself running a sub-3:15 in New York in 2 weeks, a sub-3:10 at Boston and then make a run at 3:00 in October…seems plausible when laid out like that…