Boston Quailfier

cgres123

I didn't want to put this in David's post about his BQ. So I start my own post..

I'm over 55 too and thought about Boston forever. Joke was in my crowd folks would say what are you training for ? We would always reply Boston.

Really why not , a few in my crowd could do it. Some are pretty fast , most don't know how to race though. Me I know how to race but I'm not very fast. Matter O' fact 40 Vdot ... so ouch to me..

But I wonder .... how much would I have to turn myself inside out to qual for Boston ? I bring to the table 56 year old ... lower Vdot with persistence though..

I'm wonder is the idea pie in the sky or doable ?

david ware

8:20 minute miles for 26.2 is the BQ. This year it took 1:14 under BQ to get in. 8:15's would have done it. Build the speed with the EN build fast, then add the far. You can do it.

harrast

You'll never know until you try. Give it your best shot.

ezellrh

For Boston 13 registration, general registration was open for a few days for just 'normal' qualifiers after the initial registration windows ended. No minus required. After two failed attempts, I'm waiting for the 10 minute bonus I get for turning 45. If you don't try, you'll never know. Good luck.

cgres123

Thanks All for the reply !

I looked up the Vdot number the calculator showed I'd need a Vdot of 42.3. That would get me at 3:39:15. So to really make it I'd need a 44.8 Vdot , and that is pushing it to the limit with no mistakes.

Lets see what EN has got for get faster plans this OS. I know EN has brought me up 8 Vdot points coming in here 2 years ago. The above is quite a push.

Coach P, if you read this does MN have a more focused plan for get fast ?

rtagher

I have no doubt you could do this. In addition to EN getting you faster, you may want to look into the book "Run Less Run Faster," which helped me qualify for Boston. It has you doing very fast interval work and all your runs are pushed to your limits, but it allows for cross training which can (sort of) fit into an EN schedule. Again, no doubt you can do this, you just have to decide to start doing all your runs faster.

ezellrh

David, one question I have for you is "how much are you willing to sacrifice for it?" Specifically, are you willing to put triathlon on hold for a season and just focus on running to do it? To me, the answer to "Can I" for you isn't the real issues, its "Am I willing to?"

FWIW, for me, the answer is, yes. When the time comes (and I've done the calculations to determine the qualification year/backed off training time), I'm going to hang up the bike/speedos and focus on only running for a season. I am by no means saying that I think you HAVE to give up tri, but I definitely think a BQ would be 'easier' if you focused your time completely on running.

david ware

DAvid: It looks like you are less than 10' away from the time. Over 26.2 miles that is not that much. Believe in yourself, you can do it. You have almost a year from now to get it done. GO. DO. IT!

new2703

Getting your Vdot down will be the easiest part. Teaching your body to run for 26.2 miles at your new MP pace is where it gets interesting. Go for it. What do you have to lose?

new2703

Sorry vdot up

cgres123

Thx for the confidence booster team.

I need a 5 point Vdot boost, which in of itself is quite a challenge. I'm a positive guy with things in life with a can do attitude, x-career military has taught me a lot.
It is , in my head, being 56 years old can the body really make that kind of Vdot jump? I have no problem focusing on a year of running and putting Tri to bed I have done many SC and LC races so not getting into the pool really would not break me up.. Ha ha..

@ Rob, thanks for the book recommendation. I wonder if it is any different than Daniels book ?

rtagher

David - the book is different in that it supports cutting down the frequency of runs and promotes cross training. Like Daniels, the interval work is very tough. IMO, faster and tougher than the running that EN prescribes. All runs are quality runs pretty much balls to the wall, but since you are mixing in some cross training they are not so bad. The swims and bike workouts in the book are much easier than those in an EN OS, so beware that if you try to do the runs in the book, combined with the OS bike workouts, you may be sleeping under your desk at work!

Also, much of the book is testimonials of people who have used the program and successfully qualified for Boston, so it gives you some confidence about what you are doing as well.

cgres123

@ Rob ok I'm sold I'll get the book. I broke out Jack Dainels book today to revisit his 5 to 15 K training programs. The more you read the more you know so why not..THX