Link it Together Thursday

No run today, scheduled day off. Miss the morning push and body wake up call, at least there is the gym at lunch where I will look a lot like this:

I don't have a lot of deep thoughts or topics for today, so here are some of my favorite links from reddit.com/r/running over the last few days:

• Interviews with average runners who've run a Boston Qualifying Time - A bunch these are a little older before BQ times got cut down, but still insightful. From a discussion on this, the host intends on adding more participants to it. 50+ MPW seems to be a common theme. On it!

• In response to that thread, someone asked - what is the most direct way to go from a slow beginner to BQ (not marathon training, but training to train for a marathon), and the top response was great - see here - a small piece from the response:

 Before I give you my advice, you need to realize that there is no 'right' path to get to a BQ. You can do it in many different ways, but likely what's holding you back is the commitment to do it. It's what separates a Boston marathoner from the rest. Anyone who is willing to sacrifice a Sunday morning every week for a long run for a few months and can get in a few 3-5 mile runs per week can run a marathon. To BQ, you need to NEED to qualify. You have to be hungry for it. You need to be willing to get up at 4:45AM the next day to run a 9 miler despite how tired you are from work. 

        BQ is still my pie in the sky goal, and I'm sure as hell giving it my commitment and will try.

• On a lighter note - Sympathy Cards for Runners

• Chicago Marathon Update Email, ended up in my spam folder, so if you missed it too, check it out.

• Comic on everyone's favorite part of running, a skill I haven't used yet.

• Aaaaaand a Monthly Motivation Thread

Now if you still need something to comment on, lets talk about Vanity Running! You know the type, they worked hard for their summer bodies and are beasts in the gym, but more than a few miles of running is just not what they train to do or enjoy. Two miles along the beach though? Lets strut run! This may be more a guy thing for once.

How do they make you feel? Do you honestly think they are out there for a solid cardio work out? Or doing a bit of showing off?

I've seen them running too hard, legwork is bad, and they are somehow not sweating yet...I realize I'm a bit more negative on them and kudos for anyone that gets out to exercise, but don't you ever feel like the gym is their kindgom and we can feel prouder of our work on the trails?

Happy Friday Eve!