Boston. That word inspires emotion in every runner, as it does with me. I've always been a word person, which is just part of the reason I was an English teacher for 15 years. I think about words. Those six letters move me. They have for years but much more, now. Six letters that, to me, carry a level of emotion just below the word, family, and that is saying a lot.

Whether you've only watched the race on TV, been one of the thousands lining the race course on marathon race day, or you're working toward a BQ right now, the word has the power of few others.

I hope you enjoy this podcast about my Boston Marathon race a couple of months ago, the first time I have ever qualified to run it. Whether you ever get to do that race or not, I highly recommend you travel to Boston and do one of the many races there that you can get into every year. I took my Run Tampa group to Boston to do the Boston Run to Remember Half and 5 mile in May of 2018, a fantastic trip. The course is different, but we went out and ran the last mile of the marathon course, a great experience for all.

If you aspire to run it, then go for it. Most people can qualify, but it will require a year of careful planning and strategic training. For others, it might seem impossible, and may require many lifestyle changes and several years to get there.

If you want to do it, and qualifying is out of the question, then, by all means, seek out a charity bib and commit yourself to honoring the opportunity and raising the money you pledge to raise.

One way or the other, it can be done, and I hope this podcast inspires you.

Boston Marathon qualifying times

Athlete's Village in Hopkinton

The video is too big for my site, but I will put it on Facebook.

Run Tampa

Carly qualified in her very first marathon and requalified in this year's race with a blistering time of 3:19. Yowza!

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