Boston Qualified!

Yes it is true, I have qualified for the Boston Marathon on Sunday at the Twin Cities Marathon.  The day was a moderate 50 degrees and some rain...well maybe more than just some rain.  It started to rain around mile 3 and it didn't stop until mile 14 with the heaviest down pour around mile 11.  I was waiting for people around me to start dropping like flies around the half way point, but to my surprise the 3:30 pace group stayed strong.  

This was the first time I have ever ran with a pace group and it was a great experience.  It really took your mind off the grueling miles of the marathon and kepted you focused on why you were there!  George, the lead pacer, did an excellent job pacing and keeping the group focused...we were always ahead of the time.  He said something to the group that really motivated me...I am sure I heard it before, but it really hit home yesterday.  He said, "The last 20 miles was all about the training, the next 6.2 miles is all mental."  "Stay focused."  He was totally correct, I was there to get a 3:30 marathon time!

So around mile 22, I felt really good so I started to leave the pace group and hooked up with Kathy, she was the secondary 3:30 pacer.  She talked me through the last four miles and I finished the race with a 3:26, four minutes under what I needed...YES.

Time to roll down the "Scroll of Life" and check off the "Qualified for Boston Marathon".