This is the email I received 9/24 from the Boston Marathon…. I missed getting into the race by 31 seconds!!
Yes, initially, I was disappointed, angry, even disgusted. I raced fast enough to qualify, how can I not get in??? I’ve been working hard on this goal for 5 years, literally running THOUSANDS of miles. To earn my BQ I ran the race of my life, dropping my PR by over 6 minutes. For most of the race, I felt so good, like I was on cruise control. I just don’t know if I can try again-if I have a faster race in me…. How d-motivating.
Later that same day, I found a guy on my Marathon Maniac FB group that missed by 2 seconds. TWO seconds. If that was me I would have vomited. And I can’t image how those folks who missed by ONE second must feel. I hope there aren’t many of them.
Perhaps, I don’t have it that bad.
Currently, I’m healthy, in pretty good shape and completed two tough marathons this year. I’ve been healthy enough to finish 18 marathons overal and I’ve learned so much, I know ‘what’ I need to do improve my PR. If I try again, I’ll get the opportunity (no guarantee) to experience that ‘BQ’ elation (high) once again. I’ll be in the best shape of my life, at 47.
Initially, I wanted to print and tear up or burn the email. Instead, I think I’ll print it and hang in the bedroom, where I’ll see it every day. It will remind me how far i’ve come and provide motivation to BQ again.
Boston can wait, until 2016.
26.2 with Toddler 
Great post, Scott. I was so happy for you when you qualified. I imagine this is a huge disappointment, but it sounds like you have a great attitude.
I still go back and forth between being disappointed and trying to keep the big picture in mind. Thanks for the support.