Welcome to the middle of January, where the temperatures drop! But my spirits are high because I have some exciting news to share! Thanks to Clif Bar, I will be running the 2016 Boston Marathon!
Running this marathon, my hometown race, has been a lifelong dream of mine. I first tried to qualify in 2011 at the Disney Marathon. I thought I was successful, coming in under 3 hours and 40 minutes, which was faster than the qualification standard for my age at that time. However, later that year the BAA modified the standard for qualification and I ended up missing the cut by 18 seconds!
Last April I decided to dedicate myself to qualify under the new standards. I trained hard all summer and ran the Big Cottonwood Canyon marathon in UT. I finished nearly two minutes under the qualifying time (3:33:06, a BQ-1:54). Unfortunately I did not make the final cut. Due to field size limitations and an increased number of registrants, the cutoff time for 2016 was significantly faster than previous years and I missed the cut by 34 seconds. I was heartbroken, but decided to move on and sign up for another fun marathon in April. Soon after, I decided to try to qualify for the 2017 Boston Marathon. I signed up for the Phoenix Marathon and established an ambitious training program with my new coaches.
And then I got notice last Friday from Clif Bar that I have been selected to run with them! Life is certainly unpredictable, and I know that this is cliché, but I do think that everything happens for a reason. Not making the cut initially to run Boston 2016 sparked my interest in finally working on a blog, which I have loved! It also pushed me to establish other goals, including attempting to run marathons in all 50 states. But I am so incredibly honored and happy to be running my hometown race, reaching one of my life’s goals at last!
Looking forward to continuing my training through April, and hope you follow along! I will need all the help and support from you, my fellow runners and readers! I hope we can all learn from each other and help each other with all of our goals.
Boston <3
Jane Runs Wild 
Congratulations – and best of luck in Boston!
Looking forward to reading all about your training and race!!
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Thank you!! :)
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Congratulations! So excited for you.
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Thank you so much! :)
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Congrats! I will be there to cheer you (and a few others) on!!
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Thank you so much!! It’s great that you’ll be there! It will be such a fun day :)
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It really is! I was there last year as well and Boston was so hospitable! I’m thinking of doing the 5K. Have you ever run it?
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I did run the 5k a few years ago and loved it! The course is great- winds around the commons and downtown area. Elites show up for the race every year as well. You should run it! Think it sells out quickly.
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The on-sale date has been on my work calendar for months :)
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congrats to you — that’s amazing! you must be on cloud 9. my heart hurt for you when i read that you missed it two other times but SECONDS! this will be your race. all things happen at the right time, i believe! :)
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That’s so awesome! Congrats and good luck! 😄
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Congratulations! That’s excellent! It’s absurd that you can meet the qualifying standard by nearly two minutes and still not get in to Boston. If that’s the case, they should change the qualifying standards again so that people at least know what time they need to be aiming for!
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I completely agree with you! I think they should make the qualifications at least 5 minutes faster so when you qualify there isn’t a guessing game. Happy to be running regardless though! Thanks :)
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Congrats! That’s awesome :)
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Thank you! :)
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Congratulations!
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Thanks Anna! :)
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What an incredible sponsor opportunity! You must be over the moon!! Enjoy your training!
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Thank you, I am! I love Clif Bar!
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Great story and great persistence and wonderful positive attitude. Congrats on being able to run the Boston marathon! I tried to qualify this year as well but was plagued with horrendous debilitating calf cramps the last half of my qualifying marathon. Another day another year for me :)
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Thank you so much! Sorry about your injury! It took me so many marathons to qualify again, I know you can do it! Let me know if you want any marathon suggestions- I definitely know the fast ones :)
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I am in the midst of an injury right now. Cross country ski accident on Jan 2nd on left leg knee calf and ankle. I see physio tomorrow. This ended a 910 day running streak. It will be awhile before I am out there and running and training again. Story on my blog “Cameron Lake Ski”. I Look forward to hearing which are the fast ones
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Congratulations!!
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Thank you!!
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How wonderful! Best of luck in your training and congrats on being selected to run with Clif Bar – so exciting!!
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Thanks so much!! So thrilled! Happy trekking! :)
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Congrats! This is so great… I grew up in Newton and, like you, attempted to get in to Boston last year and didn’t. This year I’ll be running for Dana-Farber. When I got selected, I wrote almost word for word what you wrote in your first sentence. I don’t typically get goose bumps, but learning there was a Boston entry with my name on it literally gave me goose bumps. Such an amazing feeling I’m sure you cannot wait for April 18. See you at the starting line!
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You’re running for such a wonderful cause! I know many people who have run with Dana-Farber and it’s a great team. Maybe 2016 Boston is the year you will BQ?! Good luck and yes, see ya in Hopkinton! :)
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Congratulations! I hope it goes really well for you.
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Thank you so much Norma! :)
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Totally awesome, how cool is that?!!!! Congratulations!
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Thank you so much! Good luck this weekend!! Looking forward to seeing some pictures of Hawaii! :)
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F***ing A! That’s killer. So happy for you. I’m looking forward to tagging along on your adventures. Gotta love Clif Bar.
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Thank you so much! I’ve always been a big fan of Clif Bar and now I’m a superfan! But seriously- couldn’t be more excited! Thanks again for your support :)
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Well done! I would love to run Boston one day! Hope it all goes well…
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Thank you so much! You can do it! Happy running :)
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That’s amazing! With so many close calls, you deserve it!
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Thank you so much! :)
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Congratulation!! I love ClifBar!
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Thank you! xoxo
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Me too!!!!
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This is so incredibly awesome! Congrats on the entry, will be looking forward to hearing about your progress. Gabby
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Thank you so much Gabby :)
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Whoa, awesome news – congrats!
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Awesome. Just awesome.
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Thank you :)
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I soooo admire your persistent spirit!!! All the best luck to your training & of course for the marathon :) :) :)
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Thank you so much for your support! :)
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Thank you! :)
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Congrats and goodluck! I’m really happy I found your blog, I’m a new runner and live in Boston. The Boston marathon is a long distant goal in a few years time. I can’t wait to see how the experience is for you and hope you’ll include tips for registration and training as well!
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Thanks so much! Boston is a runner’s city! So many great running paths, clubs, and support. And the marathon of course! Good luck and maybe I’ll see you out there!
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Congrats and good luck :)
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Congrats!!!!
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Thank you!!
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That’s awesome and well deserved. It’s nice an honor like this goes to someone that has actually made the required qualifying times but unlucky per the current registration process.
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Thanks Pete!! I appreciate it :)
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That is totally awesome!! Congratulations!!
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That’s so exciting and congrats!
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Best. Contest. EVER. Huge congrats Jane, what a fantastic opportunity and I know you’ll make the most of it. And once you BQ at Phoenix, you’ll have 2017 to look forward to as well! We’ve posted a shout-out on our RaceRaves Facebook page, to let all our members know of your good fortune. Continued success in your training, best of luck at Phoenix and hope to see you in Boston!
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Thank you so much Mike! I’ve said before that I have always been a fan of Clif bar, but now I’m a superfan! This was such a great contest and I am so lucky to have been selected! I couldn’t be more grateful for clif bar and the entire running community for their support- I have learned so much from other runners and appreciate the motivation they give me. Thanks for running (no pun intended!) a great online race review site– I will be writing a review for Boston on race raves. Thanks again!
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Congratulations!!! Look forward to hearing about the race and your experience.
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Thank you so much! :)
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Congrats! So happy for you. I want to go in April because one of my running buddies is also running on behalf of a charity.
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You should! It’s always such a great day :)
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ClifBar Rocks! What a great story
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Thank you! I agree that Clif Bar rocks! :)
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Congratulations fab result. I’m sure with so much emotion attached to this marathon for you, you will run away with a new PB.
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Thank you so much! I hope you’re right! :)
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