The Beauty of the Fall Marathon
Starting in 2000 and every year since 2002, the fall marathon has been an annual rite of passage of me. Depending on the race I ultimately decide to run, it has for the most part defined much of my summer, post-July 4th, through mid-November. Unlike Boston, which I’ve looked forward to returning to each year since 2002, fall marathons have taken me to several different locations, including Chicago (5x), Baltimore, New York (2x), Washington DC (2x) Philadelphia, Toronto, and most recently Lowell (2x). Therefore, while Boston has certainly become a rite of passage when it comes to the spring, when I think about fall and look back at the past 10-plus years, it’s hard not to envision it without the context of a marathon.
There is truly something special about fall marathons. While Boston to me is in many ways defined by the race in and of itself, having completed my most recent fall marathon just over four weeks ago Lowell’s Bay State Marathon — I took some time to reflect on this most recent fall experience and what made it so enjoyable. In the process, I really began to understand why I’ve kept running them over the years, and the factors that will continue to motivate me to run them each and every fall, in the years to come.
A Wonderful Time to Train
Ask anyone from New England about the toughest part about running Boston, and many will simply say “training’’. We deal with ice, snow and ridiculously cold weather, that is not only uncomfortable, it can be downright treacherous.
Conversely, when training for a fall marathon you get to enjoy the beauty of training during the summer and during the transition into fall. Yes, summer can be warm, but there is also the reward of the cooler fall weather, particularly as you approach the long runs in your final weeks of training. Additionally, compared to training for Boston, there is no threat from snow and ice. This removes one of the major hazards associated with Boston training for those of us that insist on training outside during the winter months. Ultimately when I think about the more temperate nature of the fall training season, which for me is concentrated in July – October, it’s just kinder on the mind, body and soul which for me, makes for an overall more enjoyable marathon experience.
Not only is the weather better, it’s a beautiful time of year in New England. As I go about my fall marathon training, I’m always in awe of the beautiful transition that occurs each September and October. The changing seasons and the beautiful colors it brings out are just awe inspiring and a welcome distraction from the challenge that has been laid before us all.
Beyond this, training during this time of year affords you with the opportunity to immerse yourself within this seasonal change and witness the transition during the course of your training. As we all know, training for a marathon is not an overnight process, and neither is a change in seasons, so being immersed within it and seeing this transition occur as you go about your fall training is one of its many rewards.
Boston is the Prize
For me personally, what has always made the fall marathon extra special is the prize of running a BQ or Boston Qualifier. For those of us fortunate enough to run a qualifying time, the fall marathon is often the initial qualifying gateway into Boston or an opportunity to improve upon the time you have already submitted. While covering 26.2 miles is a feat unto itself, the added bonus of knowing that this is the marathon that may enable to punch your ticket to Boston, has always been a motivating factor for me and one which I have tended to judge my personal performance standards by.
Additionally, when it comes to qualifying for Boston, of the 17 times I have qualified, 11 of them been via fall races. Therefore, when I look at the fall based on my track record and history, I have always seen it as a great time to train and push for a BQ run. Beyond my personal sentiment, I am always heartened by the experience of seeing friends of mine run a fall marathon, only to achieve a Boston qualifying time and the excitement they convey in not only having completed a marathon, but that they have now also qualified for Boston!
Ultimately, when it comes to running marathons, I will be the first to admit that Boston will still always be No. 1 in my book. Yet, each and every fall marathon I have run over the past 10-plus years has been special in its own right and provided me with memories and experiences that I will never forget.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com