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In this podcast episode we bring you one of our “world famous” race recaps as Angie describes the 2022 Boston Marathon.

-Hear about the amazing stories that came out of this year’s marathon.

-Soundbites from the MTA meet up

-Plus two coaches join us to share tips on running a Boston qualifying (BQ) time. 

Race Recap: The Boston Marathon 2022

For the first time in three years the Boston Marathon returned to its traditional Patriot’s Day date. There were runners from all 50 states and more than 100 countries who finished the 26.2-mile route.

Participation

According to reports from the BAA 25,314 runners crossed the start line in Hopkinton and there was a finish rate of 98.4%. Just over 16,000 ran Boston for the first time and 207 of those runners have done at least the last 20 Bostons in a row. The race has 9,500 volunteers who help make everything work so smoothly.

The most significant celebration this year was marking the 50th Anniversary of Title 9. 1972 was the first year where women were officially allowed to run the marathon (although they’d been doing it unofficially for many years). That first official women’s field consisted of eight runners. One of those women ran the marathon this year!

• 50 years after placing sixth at the 1972 Boston Marathon, Valerie Rogosheske (age 75) finished in a time of 6:38:57 sporting bib no. 1972. She says that back in 1972 the eight women runners had an understanding that “nobody quits, nobody even walks.” She came back the next two years to run the marathon achieving a PB of 3:09:28. This year was her first full marathon in 45 years.

My 3rd Boston Marathon

For the race this year they allowed a more generous qualifying window so I was able to use one of my BQ’s for the 2021 race and another (Hartford Marathon 2019) for the marathon this year.

I did a very gradual buildup due to my hamstring rehab. Instead of doing a long run every week I did one every other week. For example I’d do 14 miles, then 8-10 miles, then 15 miles, 10 miles, etc.

I also avoided running hills for every long run to put less pressure on my hamstring and I didn’t do specific speed work (other than a few short intervals). I continued going to PT every week getting Graston and ART treatments and faithfully did my stretching and strength training.

My taper was a bit rough with kids being sick, my neck freezing up, and then getting sick myself 10 days before the race.

Pre-Race Meet Ups

It was very exciting to interview Meb Keflezighi, Emily Sisson, Emma Bates, and Tommy Runz in front of a live audience with fellow podcaster Carrie Tollefson. The athletes we had on stage gave very thoughtful answers and it was fun to learn from their experiences.

The next day we had a fun informal meet up with clients, members, and listeners to the MTA Podcast.

Race Day

I like to go into every race with layered goals. My A goal was to finish sub-3:30, my B goal was to BQ (sub-3:40) and my C goal was to run strong and get the best out of myself.

The Boston course always has a ton of inspirational and funny signs from spectators. This year there was a giant Will Smith head that runners were encouraged to slap.

I ran past Shalane Flannigan who was the support person for Adrianne Haslet (who lost her leg in the 2013 bombing). Haslet said in an interview, “I just am super, super grateful. It’s never lost on me that I almost lost my life.”

Haslet wasn’t a runner but was spectating in 2013 and wondered why anyone would want to run a marathon. After the second bomb went off, “I was on the ground and I saw my foot was gone immediately.” After recovering she made it her goal to complete the marathon but faced many challenges along the way. In 2019 she suffered an arm injury from being hit by a car. In 2020 the race was cancelled and in 2021 she had an ankle injury.

Another amazing runner I saw on the course was Jacky Hunt-Broersma who is running 102 marathons in 102 days. Jacky lost part of her leg to a rare form of cancer when she was 26, started running in 2016, and runs on a prosthesis. She was the first amputee to run 100 miles on the treadmill. Boston was marathon #92/102 for her.

Hitting the Hills

When I hit the Newton Hills there were moments when I definitely wanted to walk but I knew that would set a bad precedent and I’d be upset with myself later. Since my hamstring was holding up well I knew I had to give it my best and that included running the hills (although I wasn’t moving very fast up some of them).

Unfortunately I was feeling very bloated and gassy about midway into the race and decided to visit a port-a-potty. You know the old saying, “Never trust a fart after mile 20.” I wanted to be safe rather than sorry. The stop probably cost me about 2 minutes.

When I turned left onto Boylston Street I felt happiness combined with relief. Marathons are really freaking hard and you can see from the race photos the smile on my face. There are so many spectators down that last stretch which makes it one of the most special finish line experiences ever. I finished marathon #69 in 3:39:06.

Being able to meet my B goal (barely) felt really good. Of course being a Type A person means that happiness is countered with my mind telling me I could have finished faster if I had gotten out faster and didn’t do the bathroom stop. It’s a constant battle to enjoy the present but I’m truly grateful!

Thoughts on Qualifying for Boston

A Boston Qualifying time comes quickly for a few lucky runners but can take years for some of us (my first BQ happened at marathon #25). Here’s what I’d advise based on my own experience and from coaching runners to BQ’s.

1. Know your why (you have to do it for you!).
2. Stay consistent. A BQ isn’t typically built over one training cycle—-it can be years of hard work for many runners.
3. Balance hard work and recovery. Keep your hard days hard your easy days easy and don’t forget to rest.
4. Don’t forget to enjoy the process. There have to be other victories you celebrate along the way to your BQ.