Boston Qualifying Time Question

Your qualifying time reflects the age you will be when you run the race.  If your b-day is 3 days later, then you'll need to have a BQ time of the 40 - 44 group ........ so a 3:50:59 or better.  They don't follow the same age gradings as USAT (where you are the age of whatever you turn that year all year long).

You've run a 3:40, so should have no problem!!

In theory you are correct, assuming my training is stellar and the weather is reasonable.  I was hoping to give myself plenty of wiggle room so my winter training plans were not mainly focused on running.  Some of us have a long way to go to get better at biking.

I'm old, I need all the help I can get!

Depends on the race, but in many cases it will be good.  My qualifier from last November was good for '07 and '08.  I don't think my Baltimore time from last month is good for '09, but it might be.

Check the race info. from the one you are trying to qualify at to see when they are still valid.  As Bryan said, the rule of thumb is about 18 months.