"This is to notify you that your entry into the 116th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 16, 2012 has been accepted..."
I was shaking at my desk. I cried a little. I immediately called those I needed to tell first, then emailed/tweeted/facebooked the news for all to see. I couldn't believe it. I truly didn't think I was going to make it - in a way, that makes acceptance even sweeter. I celebrated my BQ race back in May, but was also disheartened to know that it might not be good enough to bring me to Hopkinton.
Excerpt:
All I could do was my best. That BQ was incredibly important to me, whether it would lead me to Boston 2012 or not. I wanted it, I worked for it and I got it. I crossed that finish line with a BQ time and minutes to spare, screaming and cheering and crying as though I had won the race; it felt like I had.
It is admittedly a little disheartening that I didn't get to say: "I'm going to Boston!" The reality is, I don't believe there is a very good shot that I will actually get in with my time. 3:37 simply may not be good enough for Boston... but it's good enough for me. For now.
Well it turns out I'm going to Boston afterall! A great big thank you to all of you for the kind words, finger- crossing, positive thinking and good vibes over the last several months and especially this past week. Congratulations to everyone else who will be joining me on April 16, 2012, and my heart goes out to those who didn't get good news yesterday.
Unfortunately, hubs is part of that group.
"Thank you for submitting your application for entry into the 2012 Boston Marathon. Regrettably, we are unable to accept your application due to field size limitations and the large number of applications we received from qualified runners.
Entries from applicants in your age group were accepted through and including the time 3:08:46."
My heart breaks that his incredible 3:09:18 time did not get him in, and that we won't get to do this together like we are supposed to.
Of course he has been nothing but supportive and will ensure that I have the best possible experience [by coaching me through another bad-a$$ training plan], but it's just not the same. I know he is just getting started and next time the numbers will be in his favour - I'll just have to make sure I stay fast enough to join him!
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| Team "BQ x 2" - we're not finished yet! |
43 comments:
Once again congratulations Marlene...I couldn't be more excited for you...I got chills when I saw your post yesterday! I'm so sorry to read that Mark didn't get in...I know he will be there for you and will make sure you have an amazing experience in Boston. Here's to team "BQ x 2" for 2013!!!
Wow, that tough to swallow. Just to show my support for him, I'm going to make sure the Red Soxs don't make the playoffs!
This made me tear up a little, so happy for you, and I understand why its bittersweet for you as well. I am sure you and Mark will run Boston together in 2013!
First off congratulations!!! I know the hard work that had to be put in!!! So excited for you!
That gave me a little heartache too just reading. But of course you'll keep up your speed and both of you will get there together in years to come!
Boo BAA! I'll boycott the race k? :)
You could postpone your Boston and make a baby instead. That will make Maurk feel better.
I'm sorry to hear about Mark. I got a bit misty to be honest.
Congrats to you again!
Hubs! So bummed, but maybe he'll run in 2013 and you can be the support crew! You'll get to go to Boston twice! :) I think that you and I shared the exact same moments at our desks yesterday...but I had 27 little 5th graders wondering what the heck was going on with their teacher! Can't wait to talk training....I'm going for fun on this one...a celebration of all the hard work for this darn BQ!
I am happy and sad for you both - I wish both of you could have gotten into Boston this year. Congrats a million times over! You are going to have such an awesome time in Boston!!!
Congrats girl! I will be there too! It will be a great year. I can totally relate to you here...although my husband has only run 2 marathons now, he really wanted to qualify at this last one. His first marathon was July 4th (untrained) with me and he ran a 3:24 so we were certain that if he trained for even 8 weeks he could bust out a sub 3:10 but didn't happen. 3:20...a little less bitter than if he would have run a 3:09 and didn't get in....well, a lot less bitter....my heart goes out to your hubby...busting out a 3:09 is remarkable and I am sure this must sting to not get in. Such a hard age group and such a broad range of ages in that age group...weird. I have so many mixed feelings about how much harder it seems to be qualify as a man compared to a woman. But at least our husbands will be there with us! My husband will be training for a spring marathon, Eugene so we will at least be training at the same time. :)
That is tough girl, my condolences to Mark for not getting in because I know nothing would have been more exciting then sharing that race together the way you shared the BQ to begin with. I have no doubt he'll make it there next go round and maybe it worked out this way so you each could have an opportunity to let the other have their victory lap with the other's full support? Either way I hope you make the absolute most out of your trip and race and if Mark needs any spectating pointers you send him my way! :)
LOL@Lindsay's comment!
Congrats again—too bad Mark wasn't able to make it—that's such a small margin! :S
ohhhh...ok i'm glad i wasn't the only one who got a little verklempt reading this! well mark is a hero in MY books anyways...
That is very bittersweet. I know your husband is your biggest fan and he is probably thrilled for you, but must be hard for him at the same time. I just admire your determination so much and cannot wait to follow your journey to Hopinkton. He will have his shot someday and you will be there to cheer HIM on.
I'm really sorry to hear this. I was pulling for Team BQx2. But I'm willing to bet he's still going to Boston--to cheer for you!
Awesome for you but sucks for Hubs.
Ugh! That really, really stinks to be so darn close and not make it! This gets me back onto the topic that the standards are so darn hard for men and not so much so for women. I just think anyone who can run a 3:09 should be able to run Boston!
On the flip side--I'm really happy for you! You're gonna love it.
CONGRATS to you, but sorry to hear hubs did not get in too. Kind of makes it bittersweet doesn't it. :( But I firmly believe there will be many other times for both of you.
It is bittersweet for sure. I was really hoping they'd get everyone who qualified in this year but it wasn't to be. feel terrible for those that qualified and didn't get in...congrats again though. It does give you more incentive to qualify again so that you can both go next year.... I'm pretty sure with the reduced times, that everyone that qualifies this year, will get in for 2013.
Bittersweet for sure. I'm thrilled for all who got in and my heart breaks for all who were behind that cutoff line. One of my friends missed by 2 seconds. Sigh.
I am staying a triathlete after reading that. I need sub 3:10 to BQ and now after reading this.....might as well try for Kona instead.
Congrats to you; sorry about the hubs but you will have the best cheering support out there.
ugh that sucks about your husband. that really does. But he will get in one day. And he must be soooo sooo happy for you.
Go out there and make him proud!
and congrats again!
What a shame. I know how much it would mean for both of you to be able to run this together, and his time was just so unbelievably close.
Wow, he was so disappointingly close. Next year!!
Wow, I am so sorry about your hubby! It does make it hard to be happy with all you have done together. He is still a qualifier, though, and hopefully this will push him harder to make it in 2013, where you can be his supporter!
Woot! for you!
Such a bummer that Mark won't get to race with you. I'd be so frustrated to get that close but not make it. Guess you are going to have to keep running fast so you can run it again when he does get it. ;o)
Sorry to hear Mark didn't get in. That is bittersweet. What a year for things to change.
I can only imagine how hard it must be, for both of you. You both worked so hard to get there. But you do have every right to be happy you'll be running in April and your husband should be so proud of what he accomplished!
Well darnit for the hubs!! Grr. I am thrilled for you - you are going to have an absolute blast - and then the two of you can try again!! :)
Congratulations, Marlene!!!! Sorry to hear that Mark didn't get in, but I'm sure he's thrilled for you. Good luck in Boston.
Congrats to you! That is such an amazing feeling to get into Boston.....really sorry for your husband.....that is heart breaking....
xo
Sarah
Get Up & Go
You both have a great attitude (from what we can tell ;) ), and I love that he'll be coaching you through again! In a way, I'm sure he's just as invested in the race as you are!
This just adds more fuel to the 2013 fire...
Wow!!! Congratulations!!! So excited for you!! I am sure both you and hubs will be there together in 2014!
Ugh I imagine that is so hard for him, but knowing what a great supportive husband he is to you, I know he is thrilled for you :) you will have the best cheer squad ever and it will just give you both another reason to BQ again!
ps AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH CONGRATS :) :)
Awww, I wish you both could have the first Boston experience together. Congrats again to you and mark will be there in no time!
Congratulations Marlene for getting in. But it is indeed bittersweet for you that your hub didn't get in. It won't be the same but I'm sure you will make the most of your training months and the day itself and I'm sure he will get in in 2013.
Congrats! I'm in the same boat as your hubs...Boo. But I run another marathon in 3 weeks, so maybe I'll get myself into 2013. ;)
boston bound! ROCKSTAR MARLENE!!! Hubs too- he'll get there! i know it! love and miss you!
This post had me jumping in the air with joy for you...and now it practically has me in tears. I'm sorry your hubs won't be able to do this with you. But I am so completely overfilled with excitement that you got in. And you will do this!
congrats again on getting in and that sucks that your husband didn't get in this year. i know how amazing it is to have a supportive husband by your side and now you'll both have another reason to BQ again and again and again :)
Mark will make it. Just keep on plugging away. This is a long haul sport, both in distance and time. I plan to get older in good time :)
So excited for you!! I cant believe about Mark.. Is he going to try for a charity bid so you can go together?? I am over the moon proud of you.. HUGS!
Once again, congratulations Marlene! I'm so excited for you that you'll be running Boston! I know that you're gonna love it.
But along with that, I am disappointed with you as well that your husband didn't get in. I'm wondering the same thing Mel is - could he get a charity entry?
first of all, sorry for the late comment...i've been blog absent for awhile. Second, SUPER BUMMER for your man. Excited for you, but man, that just stinks that you can't do it together. I'm sure there will be many more ahead for both of you. Congrats, too, on your half PR!!! Amazing, Marlene.
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