Boston Qualified! 2014 -Running is my metaphor for sobriety: I can't stay sober alone; I would never have made it to Boston on my own...

Eva Esquivel

I began running in May 2009. I was a little more than two years sober and was starting to understand my life had to be more than just not drinking. I no longer was okay with being angry, impatient, and sad. I kept telling myself at least I was sober, but I also wanted a better life.  I knew I had to take action for things to improve. I didn't know what to do next, but like everything positive in my life, I attribute my discovery of running to being fully "aware"-- opening my eyes to what was happening now and right in front of me.

A running store had opened a few blocks from me. I had entered a few 5k's in my life at others urging, but never had I considered myself a runner or had I trained for anything. The running store had a social running group. I remember not being able to run but one mile, and then having to stop and bend over from a "stitch" in my side. The owner took me aside and taught me how to breathe and pace. I learned about running clothes, socks and gear. I didn't give up.  In early sobriety I was constantly afraid of relapsing and having to start over. My fear of failure became a character asset in running.

Boston Qualified! 2015 - "By my fourth race, I was passing my buddy and really enjoying competing!"

Dale Sandley

 I really haven’t been running very long. When I turned 50, in 2005, I started thinking more about my health, and joined a fitness center. I ran on the treadmill, used the elliptical, and regularly went to fitness classes.

In 2010, a buddy talked me into running a 5k with him. This was the first time I ever ran outside. It was a small event and I finished 4th in age group (behind my buddy). My next 5k I finished 3rd in my age group, again behind my buddy. It was wonderful winning an award. I had never played sports in school, so it was a new experience. By my fourth race, I was passing my buddy and really enjoying competing!

The more races I won, the more motivated my training became. By the end of that year, I had my 5k time down to 21:30!

Boston Qualified! 2014 – "...but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward!”

Lisa Johnston

My Boston Story is not complete yet. My Boston Qualifying story is. After seven marathon attempts, with my best time being 4:02, I had basically given up qualifying for Boston. I took a five year hiatus from running, had a couple of beautiful baby girls, and finally got back into running in 2012.

In early 2013, my best running friend convinced me to sign up for a 50k. When I got back into running in 2012, I had decided to “never run a marathon again,” so this was a long shot, but I accepted the challenge. A few weeks later, I decided that running a marathon would be a good “training” run for my 50k, so I signed up for the Potomac River Run Marathon.

Boston Qualified! 2014 – "By pushing ourselves to our limits, we truly discover we’re limitless."

Kyle Durham

Sometimes getting into the field of the Boston Marathon is more than half the story. Here is an account for a first time entrant in 2014. Look for an update next April!

When my running hit a plateau in 2007, I decided that I needed a change. It was time to master a new distance. The mystical concept of "the Wall" is what first drew me to the marathon. I had never experienced that kind of pain. I wanted to face the challenge and see how I stacked up.

Whether or not to try for the Boston Marathon was never a question. My competitive nature immediately kicked in. Boston was in my sights.

My first marathon attempt in 2007 was disastrous. It was literally the most humiliated I’ve ever felt. A few years passed before I fully recovered. But in 2011 I was ready to go again! My training was more well-rounded, more challenging, and several weeks longer. Additionally, the course I had chosen was flat with crisp October weather. My 3:10:59 was in the bag. And it was! Unfortunately for me, October 2011 marked the drop of the Boston qualifying time for my age group to 3:05:00.