For as long as I can remember, the Boston Marathon has been on my bucket list. Not just as a race, but as the race—the one that every runner, deep down, hopes to one day be a part of. Yet, despite running for most of my life, I’ve never actually taken the steps to qualify. Until now.
The Race That’s Always Been More Than Just a Race
Some marathons are about distance. Some are about speed. Boston? It’s about heart.
I remember exactly where I was on April 15, 2013. Working at NBC Universal in New York City, watching the live coverage, trying to process the unthinkable. The finish line, normally a place of triumph, had turned into chaos. Reports flooded in about the bombers possibly making their way toward NYC. Suddenly, my own city was on high alert. Armed police, military personnel on every corner. The route from Rockefeller Center (where I was working at the time) to Penn Station, and the trains, were all filled with additional policy and military personnel. It felt surreal.
But what I remember even more vividly? The year after. The way the running community, the city of Boston, and the entire country rallied together. How, in 2014 (the year after), an American runner, Meb Keflezighi, broke the tape for the first time in decades, an almost poetic tribute to those who had been lost. That moment cemented Boston’s legacy for me. It’s not just as a race of the fastest, but of the strongest.
From a Lifelong Runner to a Boston Qualifier (Someday!)
For years, I’ve told myself, One day, I’ll run Boston. But I’ve never made an actual plan to get there. That changes now.
- Step 1: Pick a Target Marathon – Boston isn’t one you just sign up for; you earn your way in. That means finding a qualifying race, ideally one with a fast course. Once I choose one, I’ll come back and update.
- Step 2: Get Serious About Speed – My regular running routine is decent, but it’s not Boston-qualifier decent enough. It’s time to get serious about pacing, tempo runs, and structured training plans. So I’ll continue spring base building and work into some summer speed workouts.
- Step 3: Strength & Recovery Matter More Than Ever – Running fast is one thing. Staying injury-free while training at a higher intensity is another. Boston is tough. Heartbreak Hill doesn’t care about excuses. So I’ll be incorporating additional running and track drills to boost my toughness.
- Step 4: Set a Timeline – Saying “someday” isn’t enough. It’s time to set a realistic goal, maybe within the next two to three years. I don’t think the 2026 race is a reality, so I’ll shoot for 2027 or 2028 as more realistic goals.
Why Boston Matters
Boston isn’t just about speed. It’s about resilience. It’s about the stories behind the runners. It’s about the everyday people who grind for years to earn a spot at the starting line. It’s about a city that has turned tragedy into triumph. And for me, it’s about proving to myself that I can do something I’ve dreamed of for so long. I proven things to myself before, so let’s get on another adventure.
So, while I won’t be toeing the line this year, I’ll be watching. I’ll be dreaming. And next year? Maybe I’ll be a little closer to making it happen.
