Something I’ve really missed during the pandemic is the community of running, the camaraderie of racing and the support of other runners. Whilst I am really grateful that we are allowed to meet up one on one to run, I long for the days where a group of us would meet on a Tuesday morning at Paddington track to do our speedwork together.
When thinking about my 2021 goal to BQ, I couldn’t help thinking about how I wished I wasn’t doing it alone. I wanted a friend to be going after the same goal, to be getting up with me on cold dark mornings and getting in the strength workouts late at night. However, whilst I might not have someone on my doorstep going after a BQ with me, I did know a number of ladies with a Boston Qualifying time on their minds.
And so The Boston Project was born.
Six women going after a BQ time this year, supporting each other, holding ourselves accountable and being cheerleaders for each other around the UK. We’re going to be sharing our training, and there will be a Boston Project podcast, chatting regularly with each of the runners, plus interviews with other Boston Qualifiers (or those on their journey to a BQ). We’re also going to be working with a sports dietitian, psychologist and strength coaches and chatting with them on the podcast to share their knowledge!
Let me tell you more about our BQ chasers….
The Boston Project: Meet the Team
Kelly Ruck from Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
Age: 34 (turning 35 soon)
Boston Qualifying time: sub 3.35
Job: Sports Therapist and Mum of 4
Current Marathon PB: 4.43
Have you attempted a BQ before?
No
Are you coached or self-coached?
Working with a running coach and strength training coach
What is your approach to training this time round?
have neglected strength in previous marathon cycles, and this has always caught up with me. I’m hoping the combination of coaches to guide me (and keep me accountable) will make a huge difference this time round. Cross training will heavily feature this time round, again something I have not included before. Mostly cycling to increase my training volume to a place it needs to be, whilst being sensible with my run mileage – being an injury prone runner!
Have you got a goal race on the calendar (Covid dependent)?
Hopefully, my goal race will be Manchester or Abingdon marathon in the autumn.
What is your. biggest challenge for The Boston Project?
The biggest challenge for me will be getting a whopping 1 hour 15 off my marathon time. If I think about that, it seems like it will be impossible. But at the same time I have never been able to give everything to a marathon training cycle, under guidance of coaches, or included cross training. I am also hoping that certain lifestyle improvements (better nutrition and recovery etc) will also help. Either way, it’ll be fun to find out just how far I can push myself.
Morning or evening runner?
Morning when I can. Although not too early. Unless a sunrise is involved .
You can follow Kelly @kellogs_ontherun on instagram and her weekly training vlogs on YouTube
Grace Rowland from South East London
Age: 30
Boston Qualifying time: sub 3.30
Job: Cardiac Physiologist at Great Ormond Street Children’s hospital
Current Marathon PB: 4.00
Have you attempted a BQ before?
Yes, I was going for a BQ in the year 2018 but the London marathon that year was unseasonably hot and I was not prepared at all for it. And absolutely boinked. Annoyingly I had ran a 21 mile race a month before in 3 hours at Crainleigh a very undulating course so I was looking forward to the race that year.
Are you coached or self-coached?
I will not be working with a coach directly, I myself in a previous life was a Sport Scientist so have a lot of knowledge surrounding physiology and periodisation for marathon training. My boyfriend is a very quick marathon runner and has coached himself to a sub 3 hour so he’ll be also on the coaching team haha. I
What is your approach to training this time round?
I’ll definitely be cross training and swimming with the program
Have you got a goal race on the calendar (Covid dependent)?
Hopefully Berlin but I have my eye on Valencia
What is your biggest challenge for The Boston Project?
Not believing in myself. I get a bit of imposter syndrome and don’t quite believe I have what it takes. However this year I will be journaling every part of my training so I can look back the night before and see my training and know I’ve put the effort in to be at the best place on the start line. I think also having a group of inspiring women around me will also play a huge factor in keeping the faith. There’s nothing like seeing a group of women set a goal, work towards it and achieve it.
Morning or evening runner?
I love both, I enjoy long runs and recovery runs in the morning and anything speed in the evenings.
You can follow Grace on Instagram @gracerunsldn or my blog is www.gracerunsldn.com
Kirsty May from Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
Age: 35
Boston Qualifying time: sub 3.35
Job: Health and Safety Manager for Satellite Communications Company
Current Marathon PB: 3.36 in Manchester 2019
Have you attempted a BQ before?
Yes. I’ve gone for a BQ a few times before, first time was in Manchester 2019 and came up 1 minute short. Then I trained for a BQ in Autumn 2019 but ended up picking up an injury (plantair fasciitis) in week 12 of training which left me unable to race. I was then aiming for a BQ time in spring 2020 but all races were cancelled. I ran a marathon at Dorney Lake in October 2020 but ended up with a back injury so came in with a time of 3:50.
Are you coached or self-coached?
I am extremely consistent with training and have been working with Matt Rees as my coach for the past 4 months. I strength train twice a week and started using Peloton classes a few months ago to supplement my training.
What is your approach to training this time round?
Have you got a goal race on the calendar (Covid dependent)?
I am initially targeting the Edinburgh Marathon at the end of May as my goal race. I am Scottish and although I have run 8 marathons I have never run one in Scotland. So I would love to get the BQ on home ground. Of course due to COVID there is every possibility that Edinburgh might not go ahead. If that is the case I am going to be running Berlin as my goal race and a week later running the London Marathon. I will be running them to raise money for MIND the mental health charity.
What is your biggest challenge for The Boston Project? I
have struggled with injury in the past so a huge goal for me is to get to the end of the training block without injury, without a cancelled race! At the moment being able to run a marathon as we know and love them is the goal.
Morning or evening runner?
I started working from home in March and since then have done most of my running at lunchtime or after work. I have tried so many times to be a morning runner but I struggle to get motivated in the morning.
You can follow Kirsty at @shortrunnergirl on instagram
Mara Hafezi from London
Age: 30
Boston Qualifying time: Sub 3.30
Job: works in the city
Current Marathon PB: 3hr46 at Verona Marathon, Italy
Have you attempted a BQ before?
Nope! Previously, I’ve been more interested in taking part in events due to the location (running abroad is a perfect excuse for going on holiday) or if there were fewer women participating at the race rather than running with a time goal.
Are you coached or self-coached?
I’m working with a coach who is also coaching me for the Comrades Marathon (fingers crossed for this year).
What is your approach to training this time round?
My training combines a mixture of running, cross-training in the form of cycling and CrossFit. In the past few months, I’ve been recovering from an injury and swapped out CrossFit for pilates, which I really enjoyed. I love including CrossFit in my training – besides the physical strength gains, I see it as giving me mental strength gains; a CrossFit WOD (workout of the day) is usually a short but very intense workout.
When you are tired and feeling sore but have 2 more rounds to go, you need to build the resilience and mental power to get to the end – a similarity i see with the marathon and ultra marathon distances; you’re on the last quarter of the race to go, you’re feeling tired and sore but you need to have the right mindset to help you get to the end and push through to achieve your goal, especially if you are running to achieve a particular time.
I’m also a strong believer in listening to your body. For example, due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the first few days of my period can be extremely painful; personally I feel better when I don’t train on the first two days. Listening to my body may mean having unscheduled rest days – when I first got into exercise, this was an idea I felt uncomfortable with.
Have you got a goal race on the calendar (Covid dependent)?
Manchester Marathon in October is on the cards – my 2020 place has been rolled over to 2021. I’m still thinking about whether that will be my goal race. I’d love to hear people’s suggestions for an autumn goal race.
What is your biggest challenge for The Boston Project?
It’s been several years since I trained specifically for a marathon, so getting into that mindset is going to be difficult. Like most people, during the pandemic, work-life balance has been hard as working hours have been longer – despite working from home, fitting in training feels like it’s going to be harder than previously. Winter training is always a huge challenge for me; Raynaud’s phenomenon is frustratingly painful and creates a real lack of motivation to train in the cold weather. Gotta remember winter miles means summer smiles!
Morning or evening runner?
Afternoon or evening running – I have so much more energy then. However, time constraints means morning runs have to be done sometimes – not a fan of those times!
You can follow. Mara at @mara.
George (Georgina) Spenceley from Hertfordshire
Age: 34 (35 in August)
Boston Qualifying time: will be sub 3.35
Job: Business Consultant for a Software Company
Current Marathon PB: 4:01:37 (Brighton Marathon 2019)
Have you attempted a BQ before?
I’ve never attempted a BQ before. However, I trained to try and run a London Marathon “Good For Age” time (sub 3:45). Unfortunately, I didn’t achieve the time I had trained for, and missed out on sub 4 too. I know 4:01 to sub 3:35 is a big jump, but I believe I have it in me with the right approach.
Are you coached or self-coached?
I don’t usually work very well being coached as I like to have autonomy in my training. I also love variety and being able to mix up my training as I get bored very easily. However I’ve found a triathlon coach to help me achieve my running goals of BQ and Race to the Tower this year.
What is your approach to training this time round?
I’ve recently gotten back into triathlon, since being injured in 2020, and I want to continue with that, but my running goals are left unchecked so I’ve chosen to work with a triathlon coach towards Race to the Tower (in June) and the BQ attempt. So I will be running alongside cycling, swimming and strength training!
Have you got a goal race on the calendar (Covid dependent)?
I’ve rolled over my place for Manchester Marathon from 2020, which will now take place on 10th October 2021. Hopefully it’s enough time to really build on the foundations I’ve laid in 2020 and also far enough away to still have a chance of going ahead.
What is your biggest challenge for The Boston Project?
I’ve struggled in the past with lower limb injuries so I don’t feel like I’m biomechanically the kind of runner who can just run 5-6 days a week. That’s where I feel like cross training with triathlon and strength work will help me get the endurance work in, without as much impact. I also struggle with belief in myself and the ability to push through when things start to hurt or I start to doubt myself. But, I have unfinished business with the marathon and I really want to prove to myself that I can run a race to my full potential.
Morning or evening runner?
Ideally for my body, late morning… but work doesn’t really allow for that so I just run when I can. Usually lunchtime or evenings during the week and morning/afternoon at weekends. I always feel the benefit of a morning run when I can get up early enough though, so I’ll probably try to do more of that in 2021.
You can follow on Instagram @fitcetera but I also hope to blog at fitcetera.co.uk and post to YouTube!
And a little about me if you’re new around here!
Age: 32
Boston Qualifying time: sub 3.30
Job: NHS Clinical Dietitian
Current Marathon PB: 3.38
Have you attempted a BQ before?
Yes twice, I crashed and. burned at Chicago in 2015 and ran a 4.10, I tried again at Edinburgh 2019 and ran a 3.38.
Are you coached or self-coached?
Coached – I find it helpful to have someone to be accountable to, and someone that knows better than me!
What is your approach to training this time round?
I’m starting right at the beginning this time round which is both scary and exciting. We’re starting with base building again, then going for some 5K training before going into the longer stuff later in the year. I’m also going to be swimming and spinning, plus strength workouts this time round to hopefully. get in my strongest, best shape ever.
Have you got a goal race on the calendar (Covid dependent)?
My 2020 Chicago Marathon place was deferred so that will be my goal race, with a back up of the more local Abingdon Marathon. If I’m not ready to go for it in October then I’ve got my eye on the Valencia Marathon in December.
What is your biggest challenge for The Boston Project?
Balancing training with work! With the pandemic working in a hospital is pretty full on.
Morning or evening runner?
Morning – or it’s likely it won’t get done!
You can follow me on instagram @therunnerbeans and sign up to my weekly newsletter here.
Exciting! Good luck Ll
This is a great idea, looking forward to following your journeys while I train for Liverpool Rock and Roll in May if it’s on and then London in Oct. Fingers crossed for all these races.
Exactly definitely keeping my fingers crossed!
Love this! I want to run my first marathon this year – and I of course dream of a BQ. Would love to think it could happen first try but trying not to get wrapped up in that idea. Super excited to have you and these amazing women to follow along on the journey. Good luck!
That is truly inspirational. Those of us reading and listening to this project will haver much to learn. Thank you for sharing this experience with the rest of the running community.
This is so motivating to read! I’m just starting to think about my training for a sub 4 hours, current pb 4:24 so it feels like a massive challenge but fingers crossed and it’s something to aim for at least. Also exciting to see a couple of the ladies have picked Manchester as their target race! I’m hoping to train for May’s Liverpool marathon but if that doesn’t go ahead it’ll be Manchester for me too xx
That’s an awesome goal!! A big challenge is sometimes what we need to get out the door on a cold dark morning!