As a runner and specifically a marathon runner, there are two questions that I always get. "What was your time and have you run Boston?" I guess if I was a great or even a good marathon runner, I wouldn't mind the questions. I am 53 years old and any "fast" times that I once knew are well behind me. Certainly, I still want to run decent times, wear a watch and still record my times. But I know, as should every other runner, that there will be faster times and slower times than ours. I was a sprinter in the good ol' days of high school - 100 and 200 meters. I was fast enough to win city and conference championships and qualify for states - ah, those fast twitch muscles. But, there isn't much call for 53 year-old sprinters these days. So, some people, mostly fast, fair-weather runners may ask, "why do you run at all?" Does Ryan Hall enjoy running as much as I do? I doubt it. He holds the American record and has won the Olympic Trials and placed in top 10 of some of the world's major marathons. He's dropped out of the last few marathons due to injury and hasn't completed a marathon since 2011. If this is the price to pay for being fast, I will stay with my 10 minute pace and enjoy the sport. Participating in running events and specifically marathons are joyous occasions. Look around you at your next event and see the smiling faces, the joy, and the community of runners and their "fans". I challenge you to find that much joy, of that many people, at once, anywhere else. It's not about the time, its about the joy. If one can't find the joy, even for those who may win age group awards or win races outright then there may need a re-evaluation of the purpose. Of course, if you are making a living at it, then it is work anyway. I am not opposed of fast times or those who run them and I would certainly love to run my PR again, but I just don't think that it should be all about the time.
As for Boston, I have heard others say that you are not a "true" marathoner until you run Boston because of the strict qualifying standards, again based on age and time. I understand the mystique of Boston and believe me I would love to qualify for Boston. With my PR I was about 30 seconds per mile off a Boston Qualifier. Now as I age, I just need to outlast the standard - maybe when I am 90? Hah! However, I believe that I have contributed more to the marathoning community with my support of the 72 marathons that I have ran than the one-time qualifier and one-time Boston runner. I am also sure that I would not finish last in the Boston marathon because I didn't qualify for it. Maybe the BAA will eventually add number of marathons completed to the list of qualifying, say 50 or 100 for a one-time exemption. Somehow, I doubt it. I would love to run it once. A few years ago, I tried to run it through charity but was denied by the group.
Please don't think I hold a disdain for fast times and those who qualify for Boston. I hold both in high regard. I would certainly love to run my qualifying standard and subsequently run Boston. What I am saying is that this sport is not all about time, not all about Boston, but about a joyous community of runners and their supporters and a worthwhile lifestyle of health, fitness, support and camaraderie.
