BQ or Bust Week 1: Day-by-Day Training To Qualify For Boston Begins (16 Weeks to Chicago)

Welcome to Week 1 of my BQ or Bust journey as I train for the Chicago Marathon with one goal in mind: qualifying for the Boston Marathon. If you want an inside look at how a running coach tackles marathon training, you're in the right place. In this vlog, I take you day-by-day through my first week of marathon training, sharing how I'm handling an early overuse injury, defining my why, dealing with summer heat, and setting the tone for the next 16 weeks. From adjusting mileage to balancing life, this series is all about making marathon training work for everyday runners, avoiding burnout, and having more fun chasing big goals. The only way you fail is if you fail to try. WHY NOT?! Throughout the BQ or Bust series, you'll get: Weekly "Run With Me" treadmill episodes new every Friday Weekly roundup vlog + podcast episodes new every week depending on when I get them edited :) Real talk about training, the mental game, and the ups and downs of chasing big dreams  👉 BQ or Bust is sponsored by Fuel Goods — a women-run marketplace making sports nutrition simpler and smarter. Get $10 in Fuel Cash and 10% back on every order: https://fuelgoods.com/pages/partners/balg?ref=balg 👉 Watch the vlog on YouTube: https://youtu.be/grgjaXtMRrA  👉 Book with Amanda for a sports massage in NYC: https://empoweredself.co/ 👉 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellykkroberts/ 👉 Join our FREE online BALG community: https://www.balgcommunity.com/ 👉 Come train with me + join my Badass Lady Gang Training Team: https://www.badassladygang.com/join-our-training-team 👉 Upcoming Training Experiences: https://www.badassladygang.com/training-experiences 👉 Get a Running Plan: https://www.badassladygang.com/running-plans 👉 Hire a Running Coach: https://www.badassladygang.com/private-coaching 👉 Learn more: https://www.badassladygang.com/

Welcome to the very first OFFICIAL week of Chicago Marathon training! Whether you're on a treadmill or just hanging out on a run, lace up and join me for a 35-minute run for week 1 run 1 of my 16-week Marathon Build For The Chicago Marathon! BQ or Bust started in 2016 as a moonshot goal for me to take my marathon time from 3 hours 59 minutes to 3 hours 35 minutes which, at the time, was my Boston Marathon Qualifying Time (BQ). I vlogged the entire experience and had to rumble with perfectionism, a fear of failure, and pre-defined limits. I was given the opportunity to explore beliefs that were holding me back and given space to grow and change. After a few attempts of falling short, 9 years later I'm trying again. Originally, I thought I aged up. I was back to 3 hours 35 minutes. Then, the qualifying times changed AGAIN and I'm back to 3:30. But like I learned, the only way you can fail is if you fail to try! DARE TO FAIL. WHY NOT!?!? In this episode, we dive into: -I'm injured! Week 1 and I have a little overuse injury. -Defining our why -What I focus on at the start of a marathon build -The heat -What I want out of this marathon build. This go-around is different. Yes, a 3 hour 30 minute marathon is still my North Star, but honestly? The bigger goal is to see what I’m truly capable of. WHY NOT? Now that I’m a running coach with years of experience under my belt, I’m approaching this from a totally new place. This series is my chance to push back on so much of the terrible advice I see online. Running is complicated—and if you’re an everyday runner, you cannot just mimic what people running 50+ mile weeks are doing. Here, we’re focusing on:  ✅ How to make training work for your life ✅ How to avoid burnout ✅ How to have more fun chasing your dreams Throughout the BQ or Bust series, you’ll get: ✔️ Weekly "Run With Me" treadmill episodes ✔️ Weekly roundup vlog and podcast episode to keep you in the loop   ✔️ Social media hits WHY NOT? Let’s find out what’s possible—together. 👉 BQ or Bust is sponsored by Fuel Goods—a women-run marketplace making sports nutrition simpler and smarter—to bring you $10 in Fuel Cash, 10% back on every order, expert resources, and a whole lot less guesswork. https://fuelgoods.com/pages/partners/balg?ref=balg 👉 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellykkroberts/ 👉 Join our FREE online BALG community: https://www.balgcommunity.com/ 👉 Come train with me + join my Badass Lady Gang Training Team: https://www.badassladygang.com/join-our-training-team 👉 Upcoming Training Experiences: https://www.badassladygang.com/training-experiences 👉 Get a Running Plan: https://www.badassladygang.com/running-plans 👉 Hire a Running Coach: https://www.badassladygang.com/private-coaching 👉 Learn more: https://www.badassladygang.com/ 👉My videographer & co-producer Scott Herder https://www.instagram.com/itsscottherder/

This week’s Run With Me is a little different... I’m not running! 😱 After wrapping up my half marathon training block, I’ve got one week before my 16-week Chicago Marathon training cycle kicks off. So I’m soaking up the downtime, moving how I want to, when I want to, because I want to. In this episode, I’m answering your questions and sharing updates on where I’m at mentally and physically heading into marathon training. We’re talking: -Mental game tips -Super shoes -Mantras I’m using -Training strategies -Why I hired a running coach (yes, even coaches need coaches!) -Plus a bunch of your submitted questions! If you're curious about how to ease between training cycles, get ready for a marathon block, or just want to feel like you’re hanging out with me, this one’s for you. Hit play, drop your questions in the comments, and let’s get ready to take on Chicago together!  👉 BQ or Bust is sponsored by Fuel Goods—a women-run marketplace making sports nutrition simpler and smarter—to bring you $10 in Fuel Cash, 10% back on every order, expert resources, and a whole lot less guesswork. https://fuelgoods.com/pages/partners/balg?ref=balg 👉 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellykkroberts/ 👉 Join our FREE online BALG community: https://www.balgcommunity.com/ 👉 Come train with me + join my Badass Lady Gang Training Team: https://www.badassladygang.com/join-our-training-team 👉 Upcoming Training Experiences: https://www.badassladygang.com/training-experiences 👉 Get a Running Plan: https://www.badassladygang.com/running-plans 👉 Hire a Running Coach: https://www.badassladygang.com/private-coaching 👉 Learn more: https://www.badassladygang.com/ 👉My videographer & co-producer Scott Herder https://www.instagram.com/itsscottherder/

Ready for a race recap! I just did my check-in before Chicago Marathon training officially kicks off. I got to race the Nike After Dark Women's Half Marathon! Let's talk about how it went, whether I got to execute my race strategy, and how I'm feeling going into Marathon Training! BQ OR BUST!!!! HERE WE GOOOOOOOO. WHY NOT? Let’s find out what’s possible—together. 👉 BQ or Bust is sponsored by Fuel Goods—a women-run marketplace making sports nutrition simpler and smarter—to bring you $10 in Fuel Cash, 10% back on every order, expert resources, and a whole lot less guesswork. https://fuelgoods.com/pages/partners/balg?ref=balg 👉 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellykkroberts/ 👉 Join our FREE online BALG community: https://www.balgcommunity.com/ 👉 Come train with me + join my Badass Lady Gang Training Team: https://www.badassladygang.com/join-our-training-team 👉 Upcoming Training Experiences: https://www.badassladygang.com/training-experiences 👉 Get a Running Plan: https://www.badassladygang.com/running-plans 👉 Hire a Running Coach: https://www.badassladygang.com/private-coaching 👉 Learn more: https://www.badassladygang.com/  👉My videographer & co-producer Scott Herder https://www.instagram.com/itsscottherder/

In 2019, after my third attempt to BQ, I stopped chasing my impossible dream to qualify for the Boston marathon after running 3 hours 42 minutes in the marathon. (Missing my BQ by 12 minutes). Well...BQ OR BUST take 4! But it all starts with spending the next 12-weeks training to break 2 hours in the half marathon. The Philly Half Marathon. Race day happened! It's over!  Did I break 2? Let's talk about it! Apply to our BALG Ambassador Program: https://forms.gle/rQSUUT9T6Qcjg5L99 Join our free online community! https://balgcommunity.com In need of affordable coaching and a group to lean on for support? Join our BALG Training team monthly or annually. And in November and December, the team is on SALE!!! Join today and SAVE!: https://www.badassladygang.com/join-our-team Or try one of our Training Experiences. You'll get a weekly coaching call and tons of training resources when you join one of our upcoming training experiences! https://www.badassladygang.com/training-experiences In need of an affordable running plan that won't overtrain you, and comes with weekly emails, mental game tips, and strength videos to help you prep for race day? Check out our running plans: https://www.badassladygang.com/running-plans Join one of our free in-person chapters for a run/walk! ALL athletic levels are welcome. https://www.badassladygang.com/chapters Follow Kelly on Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellykkroberts Follow Kelly on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellykkroberts Follow Badass Lady Gang on Instagram: https://instagram.com/badassladygang Watch podcast episodes on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/kellykkroberts

In 2019, after my third attempt to BQ, I stopped chasing my impossible dream to qualify for the Boston marathon after running 3 hours 42 minutes in the marathon. (Missing my BQ by 12 minutes). Well...BQ OR BUST take 4! But it all starts with spending the next 12-weeks training to break 2 hours in the half marathon. The Philly Half Marathon. It's peak weak and well...it went up in flames. Kinda like our democracy this week! Let's talk about week 11! From my race plan to how my taper is going, lots to unpack!  Apply to our BALG Ambassador Program: https://forms.gle/rQSUUT9T6Qcjg5L99 Join our free online community! https://balgcommunity.com In need of affordable coaching and a group to lean on for support? Join our BALG Training team monthly or annually. And in November and December, the team is on SALE!!! Join today and SAVE!: https://www.badassladygang.com/join-our-team Or try one of our Training Experiences. You'll get a weekly coaching call and tons of training resources when you join one of our upcoming training experiences! https://www.badassladygang.com/training-experiences In need of an affordable running plan that won't overtrain you, and comes with weekly emails, mental game tips, and strength videos to help you prep for race day? Check out our running plans: https://www.badassladygang.com/running-plans Join one of our free in-person chapters for a run/walk! ALL athletic levels are welcome. https://www.badassladygang.com/chapters Follow Kelly on Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellykkroberts Follow Kelly on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellykkroberts Follow Badass Lady Gang on Instagram: https://instagram.com/badassladygang Watch podcast episodes on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/kellykkroberts

In 2019, after my third attempt to BQ, I stopped chasing my impossible dream to qualify for the Boston marathon after running 3 hours 42 minutes in the marathon. (Missing my BQ by 12 minutes). Well...BQ OR BUST take 4! But it all starts with spending the next 12-weeks training to break 2 hours in the half marathon. The Philly Half Marathon. It's peak weak and well...it went up in flames. Kinda like our democracy this week! Let's talk about week 10!  Apply to our BALG Ambassador Program: https://forms.gle/rQSUUT9T6Qcjg5L99 Join our free online community! https://balgcommunity.com In need of affordable coaching and a group to lean on for support? Join our BALG Training team monthly or annually. And in November and December, the team is on SALE!!! Join today and SAVE!: https://www.badassladygang.com/join-our-team Or try one of our Training Experiences. You'll get a weekly coaching call and tons of training resources when you join one of our upcoming training experiences! https://www.badassladygang.com/training-experiences In need of an affordable running plan that won't overtrain you, and comes with weekly emails, mental game tips, and strength videos to help you prep for race day? Check out our running plans: https://www.badassladygang.com/running-plans Join one of our free in-person chapters for a run/walk! ALL athletic levels are welcome. https://www.badassladygang.com/chapters Follow Kelly on Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellykkroberts Follow Kelly on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellykkroberts Follow Badass Lady Gang on Instagram: https://instagram.com/badassladygang Watch podcast episodes on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/kellykkroberts

In 2019, after my third attempt to BQ, I stopped chasing my impossible dream to qualify for the Boston marathon after running 3 hours 42 minutes in the marathon. (Missing my BQ by 12 minutes). Well...BQ OR BUST take 4! But it all starts with spending the next 12-weeks training to break 2 hours in the half marathon. The Philly Half Marathon to be exact. Every week I'll be breaking down my training here so watch or tune in! Week 9 of training to break 2 hours in the half marathon (I'm calling this Project 1:59) is finished and so is my 10K!!!! This week, training was a little wild with the NYC Marathon so let's talk about how I adjusted! Apply to our BALG Ambassador Program: https://forms.gle/rQSUUT9T6Qcjg5L99 Have a question you'd like Kelly to answer on an upcoming episode? You can submit a written question here: https://www.badassladygang.com/podcast Join our free online community! https://balgcommunity.com In need of affordable coaching and a group to lean on for support? Join our BALG Training team monthly or annually: https://www.badassladygang.com/join-our-team Or try one of our Training Experiences. You'll get a weekly coaching call and tons of training resources when you join one of our upcoming training experiences! https://www.badassladygang.com/training-experiences In need of an affordable running plan that won't overtrain you, and comes with weekly emails, mental game tips, and strength videos to help you prep for race day? Check out our running plans: https://www.badassladygang.com/running-plans Join one of our free in-person chapters for a run/walk! ALL athletic levels are welcome. https://www.badassladygang.com/chapters Follow Kelly on Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellykkroberts Follow Kelly on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellykkroberts Follow Badass Lady Gang on Instagram: https://instagram.com/badassladygang Watch podcast episodes on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/kellykkroberts

In 2019, after my third attempt to BQ, I stopped chasing my impossible dream to qualify for the Boston marathon after running 3 hours 42 minutes in the marathon. (Missing my BQ by 12 minutes). Well...BQ OR BUST take 4! But it all starts with spending the next 12-weeks training to break 2 hours in the half marathon. The Philly Half Marathon to be exact. Every week I'll be breaking down my training here so watch or tune in! Week 8 of training to break 2 hours in the half marathon (I'm calling this Project 1:59) is finished and so is my 10K!!!! This week, I raced the Sleepy Hollow 10K to get an idea of where my fitness is at.  Apply to our BALG Ambassador Program: https://forms.gle/rQSUUT9T6Qcjg5L99 Have a question you'd like Kelly to answer on an upcoming episode? You can submit a written question here: https://www.badassladygang.com/podcast Join our free online community! https://balgcommunity.com In need of affordable coaching and a group to lean on for support? Join our BALG Training team monthly or annually: https://www.badassladygang.com/join-our-team Or try one of our Training Experiences. You'll get a weekly coaching call and tons of training resources when you join one of our upcoming training experiences! https://www.badassladygang.com/training-experiences In need of an affordable running plan that won't overtrain you, and comes with weekly emails, mental game tips, and strength videos to help you prep for race day? Check out our running plans: https://www.badassladygang.com/running-plans Join one of our free in-person chapters for a run/walk! ALL athletic levels are welcome. https://www.badassladygang.com/chapters Follow Kelly on Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellykkroberts Follow Kelly on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellykkroberts Follow Badass Lady Gang on Instagram: https://instagram.com/badassladygang Watch podcast episodes on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/kellykkroberts

In 2019, after my third attempt to BQ, I stopped chasing my impossible dream to qualify for the Boston marathon after running 3 hours 42 minutes in the marathon. (Missing my BQ by 12 minutes). Well...BQ OR BUST take 4! But it all starts with spending the next 12-weeks training to break 2 hours in the half marathon. The Philly Half Marathon to be exact. Every week I'll be breaking down my training here so watch or tune in! Week 7 of training to break 2 hours in the half marathon (I'm calling this Project 1:59) is finished. So let's talk about it! Apply to our BALG Ambassador Program: https://forms.gle/rQSUUT9T6Qcjg5L99 Have a question you'd like Kelly to answer on an upcoming episode? You can submit a written question here: https://www.badassladygang.com/podcast Join our free online community! https://balgcommunity.com In need of affordable coaching and a group to lean on for support? Join our BALG Training team monthly or annually: https://www.badassladygang.com/join-our-team Or try one of our Training Experiences like our upcoming Turkey Trot and Magical 16-week training experiences. You'll get a weekly coaching call and tons of training resources when you join one of our upcoming training experiences! https://www.badassladygang.com/training-experiences In need of an affordable running plan that won't overtrain you, and comes with weekly emails, mental game tips, and strength videos to help you prep for race day? Check out our running plans: https://www.badassladygang.com/running-plans Join one of our free in-person chapters for a run/walk! ALL athletic levels are welcome. https://www.badassladygang.com/chapters Follow Kelly on Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellykkroberts Follow Kelly on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellykkroberts Follow Badass Lady Gang on Instagram: https://instagram.com/badassladygang Watch podcast episodes on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/kellykkroberts