For the first time, I’m training for a time, rather than just a finish. This is my daily record of the work toward BQ: the running, the food, the sleep, and how it all feels.
Starting November 2, 2026.
ROAD TO BOSTON
BQ Journal
What is BQ? What does a 29-year-old man need to run?
BQ = Boston Qualifier: a marathon performance meeting Boston's qualifying standard for an age and gender group. At 29, I use the men's 18–34 group as a reference; the actual group is determined by age on Boston Marathon race day.
| Threshold | Marathon time | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 BQ standard | 2:55:00 | Eligible to apply; no guaranteed place |
| 2027 time-based acceptance | 2:49:43 | 2:55:00 − 5:17; latest published result |
For 2027, approximately 1,000 additional places were allocated by random selection among applicants who achieved BQ but missed the time-based cutoff. The cutoff varies with demand; no time can guarantee acceptance into a future edition in advance.
Qualifier registration for 2027 has closed. The 2028 qualifying window opened September 19, 2026; its acceptance cutoff is unknown. The table is historical context, not a promise of entry for 2028. Performances must fall within the relevant window and come from a certified full marathon, using official net (chip) time. Significant net-downhill courses have additional adjustment rules. A PB alone does not establish Boston eligibility.
Checked: 2026-11-01 · B.A.A. standards and rules · Official 2027 acceptance announcement
01 / Training
02 / Food
03 / Sleep
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PB · Personal bests
Race performances over the full distance, with timing sources noted below. Each distance shows the fastest submitted result, including races before this journal began.
Half-marathon chip time of 1:44:56 was checked against HalfRuns public results, with the race identity confirmed by me. Marathon PB of 3:56:22 is confirmed by me and matches the COROS total elapsed time. The event date is checked; official chip time has not been independently verified.
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| Distance | PB | Date | Race / source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5K | — | — | Not recorded |
| 10K | — | — | Not recorded |
| Half marathon | 1:44:56 | 2024-04-13 | 2024 Martian Invasion of Races · Dearborn, MI |
| Marathon | 3:56:22 | 2025-01-05 | 2025 C&D Xiamen Marathon |
Weight tracker
Track weight in kg and changes since the first record. Use the weight form or the optional weight field in your daily journal.
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View / edit weight history
| Date | kg | Note | Record |
|---|
Running log
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