If you’re following along with the running chatter at all, you’ve seen the conversation and the controversy about the Boston Marathon’s more stringent qualifying standards. For those on the precipice of making the cut, or anyone who’s tried and missed, it can feel like that carrot continues to dangle from an ever-extending stick.
In a statement on the Boston Marathon website, Jack Fleming, President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association, positioned the change as a simple matter of supply and demand.
“The record number of applicants indicates the growing trend of our sport and shows that athletes are continuously getting faster and faster… Every time the B.A.A. has adjusted qualifying standards – most recently in 2019 – we’ve seen athletes continue to raise the bar and elevate to new levels.”
As expected, the news ginned up plenty of comments, reels, and memes; many (or most) lamenting the moving target that has come to be these qualifying standards. There’s finger-pointing, blame-gaming, and any number of suggestions to manufacture some hope for folks in that purgatory that is waiting to see of their BQ was indeed enough to qualify.
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Rejection is brutal. Particularly when you’ve put in the work to meet the standards, only to find your results are now substandard. And what of those who’ll never measure-up, or even want to? Does that make any of them any less a “real runner?” In a sport where weekend warriors can actually toe the line with the elites, gold medalists, and world champs, where exactly is that line?
If you ask Eric Smith, it’s pretty simple. “If you run, you’re a runner!” he told us. “Running provides tremendous benefits both physically and mentally while also providing the opportunity to support others.”
Eric is the former president of the Charlotte Running Club, pace team organizer for the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon and other events, coordinator of the Little Sugar Creek and Mallard Creek Greenway runs, etc., etc. He’s not just found community and support, he’s helping create it.
“If running ever becomes a chore or not fun because you’re continually trying to seek a BQ,” he added, “it’s time to change things up and focus on ways to make it more enjoyable and satisfying.”
Lisa Landrum is a parent, coach, small business owner, and founder of Forward Motion run training here in Charlotte. She’s also done her fair share of mega miles, epic races, and bucket list events. She also knows that’s not what “running” looks like for everybody.
“Not everyone has tons of time to devote to running a sub 3 hour marathon, or even to train for a race of any distance, and that’s OK!,” she told us. “We can still find fulfillment in our movement and miles through personal bests, running with friends, running for mental and physical health, and just moving forward. You don’t have to win a local 5K, run 6 world majors and quality for Boston to get the positives out of this sport we love so much.”
No matter your age, ability, or time constraints, a “personal best,” is something within your reach. HAMRunning coaches Kim Kreuzman and Nicole Hamilton shared this advice:
- Train and race with friends. Accountability buddies make the training journey more fun.
- If you’ll race, consider the time of year, terrain, logistics, crowd support, at the event you’re considering.
- Work with a coach to create a plan that fits your needs.
- Understand that just like life, there are no guarantees.
While it is inspiring to watch friends and family achieve their dream of running Boston, Smith cautioned, it can leave some people feeling as though they can’t be considered a “runner” if they haven’t run the final stretch down Boylston Street to cross the finish line.
“Nonsense,” he said.
“We have often heard it said that comparison is the thief of joy, and running should bring us joy,” Landrum reminded us. “When we start to tip to a not-so-joyful place with running, it may be time to take a look at our why, and re-evaluate. If you’re moving forward, you’re winning.”
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