The Value of Waiting for Boston When the Time is Right
By Mark Spewak
What I love most about the Boston Marathon is that it truly is the “people’s championships!” For most of us mortals, it’s nearly impossible to make an Olympic team. While the Boston Marathon qualification requirements are difficult to meet, it’s a goal that you can have in this sport that can motivate you while you pursue other goals in distance running.
With the news of the most recent changes to the qualifying times, I know there is a lot of disappointment. I also realize that I am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to run two Boston Marathon races early in my running career, making what I say potentially irrelevant to those who haven’t qualified yet. However, what I will say is that what makes Boston so special in my opinion is that it’s a race that you truly have to earn your place at the starting line.
We work so hard year-round to be successful in this sport. There is a level of commitment and drive that is required to run through the worst of conditions. The grind of this sport is what we LOVE and it’s what keeps us going in the toughest of times. After high and school college there are not many opportunities for accolades that resonate to the general masses of people. However, when you run Boston, regardless of if your friend or family member is a runner or not, there is a level of respect you get because they know the significance of what that race means to the sport.
One of the funniest Boston stories I have was a few years back when I read a tweet from an Olympian in the 5k for the United States who ran the BAA 5k during Marathon Weekend. He tweeted after the race that when he was in the airport someone came up to him and asked if he ran the marathon that weekend. He said he hadn’t, but he did the 5k. The stranger was underwhelmed when they heard the answer and went along with their day. While this athlete did not share that he was an Olympian, the sentiment of how important a stranger running Boston the day before in Logan Airport is very telling what Boston, Massachusetts thinks about this event.
You are not a better or worse runner for being part of the Boston Marathon. This sport is about accomplishing personal goals that mean something special to the individual pursuing them. Don’t let the perception beyond the sport of running judge whether you are successful or not. We all have different reasons for why we love to run and running Boston should not complete us. After Marathon Monday every year, the hype dies down and people get ready for the next race. That proves that yes this is a very special marathon but that running lives on well beyond the beginning of April.
I will conclude this with saying, do not let the new qualifying times discourage you. We have helped hundreds of athletes like you qualify for Boston. When an athlete can let that goal be something to shoot for but not consume them, you will realize just how fulfilling your other accomplishments in the sport can be. I am most proud of my 10k and half marathon PRS that were not accomplished at Boston. I will always cherish my experience running the Boston Marathon, but it wasn’t the end all be all for me and it shouldn’t be for you. What I will say is that if you make it to that starting line, you will be proud as hell of yourself because you will know what it took to get there. Value the significance of the competition at Boston and the history of what that course and event means to running in the United States. Stay focused on your goals and keep respecting the sport!
