Boston....Here I Come....

Why was I talking about Boston in the previous post? Well, I am IN! I have been accepted to run the 2012 Boston Marathon. Finally get to live my American dream.... : )

Considered as the Holy Grail for most marathon runners, it attracts thousands of applications each year but only about 30,000 runners selected. It's a lot less than some of the major runs, i.e. Berlin, London, New York & Chicago, but it's the only run where you do need to meet the qualifying time and hope for the best that you'll get picked. In another way, you can also get in by way of donations.

The course

Explore the interactive course & course elevations.

Looks like I got to put on my shoe and hit the roads! Got to get ready for the Heartbreak Hill!

Boston Marathon Registration Closed

This is what you get when you logged into the Boston Marathon Official website:

2012 BOSTON MARATHON ATHLETE REGISTRATION 

We appreciate your interest in running the 2012 Boston Marathon, but registration has now closed.

The Boston Marathon does not have a waiting list, late registration on race weekend, or race day registration.

The names of all official entrants are posted on the B.A.A. web site as application information and qualifying performances are verified.

Please note that bib numbers are not transferable. Those attempting to transfer their bib numbers, as well as those in receipt of a transfered entry, will be disqualified.

The Boston Athletic Association thanks you for your cooperation.

The 117th Boston Marathon will be run on Monday, April 15, 2013; tentatively, applications will begin to be accepted in September 2012. 

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So how do you qualify for Boston? 

For next year's edition they have changed the registration process. Here's the link to their official registration process page. 

For the 2012 Boston Marathon, registration will begin on Monday, September 12 at 10:00 (ET) and will close on Friday, September 23 (5:00 p.m.)

The qualifying times for the 2012 Boston Marathon are the same as previous years, but the new registration process will accommodate those who are the fastest qualifiers first.

 

Registration will occur on a “rolling admission” schedule, beginning with the fastest qualifiers. On the first day of registration for the 2012 Boston Marathon, those who are eligible for entry by having met the qualifying standards for their age and gender group by 20 minutes or more will be able to enter on September 12 at 10:00 a.m. (ET).  On September 14 at 10:00 a.m., (if space remains) registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by 10 minutes or more. On September 16 at 10:00 a.m., (if space remains) registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by five minutes or more. During this first week of registration, applicants will be notified as their qualifying performance verified.  

 

Registration will close from Saturday, September 17 at 10:00 p.m., ET and, (if space remains) will re-open on Monday, September 19 at 10:00 a.m. ET to all qualifiers until September 23 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Those who are the fastest among the pool of applicants in their age and gender will be accepted. Accepted athletes will be notified by September 28.

 

Important Note:  the 59 seconds allowed for qualifying times aren't applicable for those registering before Monday, September 19. 

Those registering as BQ-20, BQ-10, or BQ-5 must be at least 20, 10, or 5 minutes below 3:50:00, not 3:50:59. 

The entry fee for the 2012 Boston Marathon is $150 USD for United States residents, and $200 USD for international residents. 

  

The field size for the 2012 Boston Marathon will not represent a significant increase from recent years.

It  is going to be harder to qualify for the 2013 edition.

No Updates, No Runs...

To be honest, I have not done much running since I got injured and that is almost 8 months ago. Still run once a while just to keep myself in a little bit of shape. My foot seems to be getting better, doesn't hurt as much as it used to, but am taking it light and easy!

I will join in a few runs just to get myself back into racing mentality, but it's mainly to gain race fitness. I'm still far away from full fitness but I am doing at least 2 runs a week. OK, I know it's far away from my used-to-be 6 days a week training, but at least I'm trying to get back. It's a long road though. Can't even maintain a 4:30 pace for too long right now.

Well now, what have I got in store in the coming weeks?

1. 02 Oct - Adidas King of The Road (16.8km)

2. 30 Oct - PJ Half Marathon (21.1km)

3. 20 Nov - Allianz Penang Bridge International Marathon (21.1km)

Well this one is kind of a last minute event. I hated running Penang Bridge but a free entrance and lots of friends heading there equals to fun!

4. 27 Nov - Park City Run  (10km)

5. 18 Dec - Malakoff Run (12km)

That's a lot of races I've got myself into! Paid a hefty fee for it too. Long gone the days where runs used to be RM10-20! I'll take this as part of my training runs, my LSD! Ok....it's not really long for some, but it is for me now.

Dutamas Runners gang has gone places, participated in many races in recent months and in the upcoming races too! This weekend, there will be a few runners doing their virgin full marathon, i.e. Yvonne & Bin, the running couple. Some will be heading for Siemens, while some Pudu Charity Run. There could be some doing the OCBC bike ride. As for me, I'll be doing my Not So Long Slow Distance.....