In this podcast episode we bring you one of our “world famous” race recaps as Angie describes the 2022 Boston Marathon.

-Hear about the amazing stories that came out of this year’s marathon.

-Soundbites from the MTA meet up

-Plus two coaches join us to share tips on running a Boston qualifying (BQ) time.

Race Recap: The Boston Marathon 2022

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For the first time in three years the Boston Marathon returned to its traditional Patriot’s Day date. There were runners from all 50 states and more than 100 countries who finished the 26.2-mile route.

Participation

According to reports from the BAA 25,314 runners crossed the start line in Hopkinton and there was a finish rate of 98.4%. Just over 16,000 ran Boston for the first time and 207 of those runners have done at least the last 20 Bostons in a row. The race has 9,500 volunteers who help make everything work so smoothly.

The most significant celebration this year was marking the 50th Anniversary of Title 9. 1972 was the first year where women were officially allowed to run the marathon (although they’d been doing it unofficially for many years). That first official women’s field consisted of eight runners. One of those women ran the marathon this year!

• 50 years after placing sixth at the 1972 Boston Marathon, Valerie Rogosheske (age 75) finished in a time of 6:38:57 sporting bib no. 1972. She says that back in 1972 the eight women runners had an understanding that “nobody quits, nobody even walks.” She came back the next two years to run the marathon achieving a PB of 3:09:28. This year was her first full marathon in 45 years.

My 3rd Boston Marathon

For the race this year they allowed a more generous qualifying window so I was able to use one of my BQ’s for the 2021 race and another (Hartford Marathon 2019) for the marathon this year.
I did a very gradual buildup due to my hamstring rehab. Instead of doing a long run every week I did one every other week. For example I’d do 14 miles, then 8-10 miles, then 15 miles, 10 miles, etc.

I also avoided running hills for every long run to put less pressure on my hamstring and I didn’t do specific speed work (other than a few short intervals). I continued going to PT every week getting Graston and ART treatments and faithfully did my stretching and strength training.

My taper was a bit rough with kids being sick, my neck freezing up, and then getting sick myself 10 days before the race.

Pre-Race Meet Ups

It was very exciting to interview Meb Keflezighi, Emily Sisson, Emma Bates, and Tommy Runz in front of a live audience with fellow podcaster Carrie Tollefson. The athletes we had on stage gave very thoughtful answers and it was fun to learn from their experiences.

The next day we had a fun informal meet up with clients, members, and listeners to the MTA Podcast.

Race Day

I like to go into every race with layered goals. My A goal was to finish sub-3:30, my B goal was to BQ (sub-3:40) and my C goal was to run strong and get the best out of myself.

The Boston course always has a ton of inspirational and funny signs from spectators. This year there was a giant Will Smith head that runners were encouraged to slap.

I ran past Shalane Flannigan who was the support person for Adrianne Haslet (who lost her leg in the 2013 bombing). Haslet said in an interview, “I just am super, super grateful. It’s never lost on me that I almost lost my life.”

Haslet wasn’t a runner but was spectating in 2013 and wondered why anyone would want to run a marathon. After the second bomb went off, “I was on the ground and I saw my foot was gone immediately.” After recovering she made it her goal to complete the marathon but faced many challenges along the way. In 2019 she suffered an arm injury from being hit by a car. In 2020 the race was cancelled and in 2021 she had an ankle injury.

Another amazing runner I saw on the course was Jacky H...