Remind me that Boston will always be there

The better half here really got into running only this past year (and was perilously close to BQ attempt next month - stress fractures $uck, but that's a different story).

She went from a very fit, but sloooooow and occasional, runner to bagging podium spots in her AG and then as overall female within the year.

All after 3 kids.

So, will you have to work to get back to where you are?  Yep.  Can you within a fairly short time-frame (within a season)?  Yep.

Boston will still be here. 

Have fun with and enjoy the family.  If that's what you want, then that's way more important (and these years with the kids WON'T always be here - the little buggers grow so fast!).

Matt

Originally posted by reecealan You're still young Trishie. Knock out that kid, stay healthy, have fun "strollering" people in future races

I forgot about the stroller angle!  Fantastic strength builder. 

Yes. All of this :)

Muscle memory is a mommy's friend. 

Boston will be there, and, as you said, your BQ time will be slower.

And you'll have another little person who thinks you are the best Momma in the whole world to enjoy that success with.  It'll be a little harder, but it will also be a little sweeter.  The really good stuff is like that :)

Well, it will be there. And, it's a great goal. One, totally worth having.

But I guess I just find the true beauty in running to be the journey. Those days when you feel like you are flying, or those days where running seems to be the only way you can clear your head. 

The  the race results, the PRs, BQing etc - those things are just the icing on the cake.

As JK said, you won't be starting over. Just building back up, like any other training cycle. And you can keep running through the majority of your pregnancy, no?

I think running is a beautiful little perk to life, not the opposite 

I realize these are all my thoughts and perhaps you don't see things that way. But getting other people's perspective can sometimes be helpful.

Check out Lauren Fleshman's blog http://asklaurenfleshman.com/ she's got some really great perspective on pregnancy and how it relates to running.

BQ Times go up... but it doesn't mean that they get easier to meet.  You too- will undergo the effects of aging.

that said- with tenacity, training and the ability to push your body to the limits- you will be able to BQ. 

Two things:

1.  To qualify for Boston this year, you needed to not just BQ, but to beat the BQ time by 1 min and 38 seconds or more.  (and this was after they lowered the qualifying times by 6 minutes two years ago.)  Don't know how much you'll need to beat it for next year (if at all)

2.  To hit your McMillan prediction is completely possible- but what it takes is full marathon training, good conditions, a perfect race, run at the limits of what your body is capable.  i.e. it's gonna hurt.  possibly a lot.  But the pain is temporary and the joy of a BQ can never be taken away.  It's a solid accomplishment for anyone.