CLYDESDALE # BEFORE PICTURES

Getting some advise from my coach.

Eyes on the prize...I'm 38 so 3.10 is my goal

2016 BOSTON MARATHON QUALIFYING STANDARDS

Effective September 13, 2014. All standards below are based on official submitted net time.

AGE GROUP	MEN	WOMEN
18-34	3hrs 05min 00sec	3hrs 35min 00sec
35-39	3hrs 10min 00sec	3hrs 40min 00sec
40-44	3hrs 15min 00sec	3hrs 45min 00sec
45-49	3hrs 25min 00sec	3hrs 55min 00sec
50-54	3hrs 30min 00sec	4hrs 00min 00sec
55-59	3hrs 40min 00sec	4hrs 10min 00sec
60-64	3hrs 55min 00sec	4hrs 25min 00sec
65-69	4hrs 10min 00sec	4hrs 40min 00sec
70-74	4hrs 25min 00sec	4hrs 55min 00sec
75-79	4hrs 40min 00sec	5hrs 10min 00sec
80 and over	4hrs 55min 00sec	5hrs 25min 00sec

Today I found the baggy running shorts that i ran my last marathon in.  The drawstring that was tied in a knot to stop them from falling off, made permanent with time, now fit my waist like the string on a honey baked ham.  My sneakers also fit a little tighter than i ever remembered.... can your feet get fat too?  Do feet elongate under extra weight and your arch sags a bit?  Nothing was going to deter me today, as i have made a commitment.  I gathered my pregnant fiance and toddler and we drove three miles down the street and did a little nature walk.  Before pictures were taken, laughs were had, and i set out to run my clydesdale frame back to the house after sending them home in the car.  After some time had passed i noticed Marie had doubled back for a drive by to make sure i didn't 'tack out. I laughed when i saw the car, a. because i had just started running after a run, walk, run, stagger, and b. because i remembered how i used to start running every time i saw a car or heard tires or god forbid thought i might be being overtaken by a high school track team on a training run....It occured to me that i'm not running to escape my problems, i'm running to solve them.  After making it home i realized i forgot how good it feels to finish up a little run.  Endorphins pumping, a little surge of pride, the promise of fitting into my jeans again. 

Thats all for today.  I have to get ironing, i'm a restaurant manager and dry cleaning isn't in my budget with 4 mouths on one income.  I'll try not to eat dead food in the window all night and leave you with these pictures tantamount to a car crash.  Just don't let the images ruin your day ;)