Click on the links at the left to find out about past and future Boston Marathon events!

FAQ's

Can I do a marathon?
YES! Pretty much anyone can do a marathon with proper preparation. As anyone who has ever witnessed the Boston Marathon will tell you, people of all shapes and sizes compete, even runners who are blind! I mean, c'mon...Oprah even did one!!! A marathon can seem like an intimidating task, but like most things, the only way to do it is (literally) one step at a time. Our training program will start small, and build appropriately, so that by the time the Boston Marathon rolls around in April, you'll have no doubt in your mind that you can do it!

How much time will I need to commit?
Many marathon training programs call for 50-60 miles per week of running - NOT THIS ONE! We know that all students are exceptionally busy and have many other engagements, so the goal of the BC LAW "Bandit Crew" is to get everyone ready to cover 26.2 miles in April on Marathon Monday with AS LITTLE training as possible. The goal will be to gradually acclimate the body to longer runs (once per week on a weekend morning), starting with a 6 mile distance, and building to about 5 runs that are in the 13-20 mile range. During the week, we'll shoot for two runs of a 5-7 mile range that will serve to provide some general cardiovascular improvements, build strength in the legs, and recover from the long runs. Depending on the day, we might do a hill workout, interval run, tempo run, or just an easy jog. Generally you'll be needing to set aside no more than 3-4 hours per week.

I've never done a road race before, what should I expect?
Well, lots of people, for one thing - both on the course, and as spectators. Also, expect some pre-race jitters. To help with this, we generally do two great Boston Marathon "tune-up" races, the Run to Remember 1/2 Marathon in Boston In mid-march, and the Eastern States 20 Miler towards the end of March (it starts in Maine, and runs through New Hampshire, ending in Massachusetts!) Both are great races, and very well organized. The Run to Remember will have several thousand people, and get you used to a big race environment, while the Eastern States 20 Miler is a very scenic course, has a more low-key 600 person field, and has a great post-race party with plenty of free pizza, pretzles, and soup at a bar on Hampton Beach!
Make sure to sign up early in the new year, as these races will sell-out! Entry Fees are $45 for the Run to Remember and $23 for the Eastern States 20 Miler (So if the budget is tight, I'd suggest just doing the Eastern States 20 miler!)

What might a typical "Bandit Crew" training schedule look like?

Week#	Sun.	Mon.	Tue.	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Sat.	Total
Jan. 22	8	Rest	5	Rest	7	Rest	Rest	20
Jan. 29	8	Rest	6	Rest	7	Rest	Rest	21
Feb. 5	10	Rest	5	Rest	7	Rest	Rest	22
Feb. 12	12	Rest	5	Rest	7	Rest	Rest	24
Feb. 19	14	Rest	6	Rest	7	Rest	Rest	27
Feb. 26	15	Rest	5	Rest	6	4	Rest	30
Mar. 5	18	Rest	6	Rest	6	4	Rest	34
Mar. 12	13 Run 2 Remember!	Rest	5	7	6	Rest	Rest	31
Mar. 19	17	Rest	6	Rest	6	Rest	Rest	29
Mar. 26	20 Eastern States 20 M!	Rest	6	4	6	Rest	Rest	36
Apr. 2	8	Rest	6	Rest	6	Rest	Rest	20
Apr. 9	8	Rest	5	3	4	Rest	Rest	20
Apr. 16	26.2 Boston Marathon!	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest	Marathon Week

In need of motivation?
Here's some quotes and promo pieces to keep you going!

BC Law Running Club "Priceless" Marathon Ad #1
BC Law Running Club "Priceless" Marathon Ad #2

George Sheehan's Famous "Why Do I Run" Essay

"Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible." - Doug Larson

"The woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep." - Robert Frost

"We can't all be runners because someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by." - adapted from Will Rogers

"Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must move faster than the lion or it will not survive. Every morning a lion wakes up and it knows it must move faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve. It doesn't matter if you are the lion or the gazelle, when the sun comes up, you better be moving." - attributed to Roger Bannister shortly after running the first sub-4 mile

"To describe the experience of a marathon to someone who's never run it is like trying to explain color to someone who was born blind." - Jerome Drayton

"We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon." - Emil Zatopek

"I definitely want to show how beautiful the marathon can be. I am the opponent of all those who find the marathon bad: the psychologists, the physiologists, the doubters. I make the marathon beatiful for myself and for others. That's why I'm here." - Uta Pippig

"When people ask me why I run, I tell them, there's not really a reason, it's just the adrenalin when you start, and the feeling when you cross that finish line, and know that you are a winner no matter what place you got." - Courtney Parsons