Can a 51 year old digital marketing geek time qualify for The Boston Marathon? I'm sure going to try.
By Michael Baker ยท May 12, 2026
A 51 year old digital marketing geek's open journal of training to time qualify for the Boston Marathon. Phase 2 closed with 225 lbs x 25 squats. Phase 3 is a 4 month marathon-specific build to a 3:14 (~7:24/mile) at the Erie Marathon on September 13 in Erie, Pennsylvania. Free training, fueling, and recovery courses on GetUpEarlier.com.
Can a 51 year old digital marketing geek qualify for Boston? I'm sure going to try. Just wrapped Phase 2 of my new marathon build and finished it with 225 lbs x 25 reps on barbell squats. Those squats built the strength foundation, durability, and leg endurance I wanted before shifting fully into marathon-specific training. Today begins a focused 4 month build toward my attempt to time qualify for the Boston Marathon with a 3:14 or better, which is roughly 7:24 per mile pace. That would come just 11 months after running a 3:25 at the Hartford Marathon at roughly 7:52 per mile pace, and 6 months after the NYC Half Marathon where I time qualified for the 2027 NYC Marathon at 6:59 per mile pace. Next stop: Erie Marathon September 13 Erie, Pennsylvania I'm documenting this entire process as free courses and content on GetUpEarlier.com. LET'S GO!
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