Oh Boston, Don't Ever Change

OK, so check this out. I was reading in the April issue of Runner's World about the various changes the Boston Marathon timing requirements have gone thru over its 113 year history. I knew about some of it, but had no idea of all the different decisions the Boston Athletic Association has made over the years. No qualifying times and no women runners? Yeah, these I knew about, but for some reason I just thought the qualifying times have always been the same. I was pretty surprised as I read through the article.

Now, there's been some murmurs about changing the qualifying times again. Moving the girls times down, apparently increasing the challenge for women to qualify. Note: the female qualifiers I know would have no challenge even with the new proposed times. I think there's been talk that the guys' times would go up, making it easier for guys to qualify. Something like this has happened before.

Being a guy from this generation of runners I hope the qualifying times do not change. I have not yet qualified and would not want to make it in the "easy" way. It's just a pride thing, because even the proposed times for guys would be a significant challenge for me. I just don't want all those Boston legends I know razzing me 'cause I got in on an easier standard. I might as well run it for a charity for all the bragging rights I would forfeit.

Oh this whole thing makes for a great debate, I'm certain. Imagine all these fast, faster and fastest runners sitting around one morning at Starbucks discussing the merits of changing the qualifying times. It would make for fun banter and a few hurt feelings. But, I'm simply not going to concern myself about it. Instead I'll work on freaking getting there no matter the standard. It will still remain a great honor.

Never, never stop running

I Miss You

I have so missed updating my blog. It's been months. In fact, one of my running buddies google chatted me today and complained about my lack of writing. "You have not written in you blog this year", she typed.

Well, over the last several months I have been simply covered in new technology. It has been great. New Macbook, new shuffle, new web pages, new iPhone, dozens of new apps for same. The list goes on. So, since I've been a Windows person for two decades, you can imagine the steep learning curve I had to travel to become proficient with my new gadgets.

I'm almost there. Just recently I started understanding all the neat features in iPhoto (Apples photo management app). Wow, faces recognition, site location tagging and search preferences. It's really kool.

What does all this have to do with running? Nothing and everything. It all just works together for a much better running experience, I guess. I've been using my iPhone to stay in contact with all my running friends. We text, email and Facebook from our iPhones to plan running events and post run coffees and breakfasts. All without the benefit of voice calls, typically. It's all just so much fun. Enhances the whole experience.

Now, I mentioned Facebook. What an addictive tool. Besides, it makes a would-be writer quite lazy. I can give a quick, one-line update on the front page and my writing quota is done for the day. And some days I have not been doing that.

Well, that's an update for now. Here's a topic teaser for my next updates:

OK City Marathon
Luke's Locker Quick Beat Coaching
Swimming 101
iPhone OS 3.0
Runnersworld Blogging?
The Injury List

So, I hope you return and start following me again. Bye for now and never, never stop running.