Fall 2023. My fifth marathon and the goal was to qualify for Boston. I was determined to do everything I could to see it through. Beyond the hours of early morning training runs (and ice baths), that meant taping motivational words to the back of my raceday nutrition with the hope that it would keep my mindset positive, confident, and strong. It worked and helped the miles cruise by. The BQ was secured and the waiting began. 5 min 55 seconds under my qualifying time, would I get in? The answer- no (the cut-off for Boston 2025 was 6 min 51 seconds!). Dissapointed yes, devastated no . . .