BQs and other marathon stats

Yes, my goal is always to be able to run a BQ or better time.  However, as I've gotten older, that goal has faded.  Now on the tougher courses it's unfeasible.  Usually by the upper end of an age group, I'm looking for a faster course.  I've used Mohawk Hudson three times - at 59 for age 59, at 64 for 64 and age 66 for 67/ I'm a local class runner at best, so I'm usually in a position where it's easy upon first entering the AG and difficult four years later.

BQs  Age  time     Location                Year used for Boston (if any)

1996 52  3:26:39   Philly                 Used in 1997. 3rd marathon and 1st BQ

1997 52  3:21:51   Boston                Used in 1998; PR

1999 55  3:33:12   Philly                 Used in 2000 & 2001

2000 56  3:42:20   Harrisburg          Used in 2002. standard for 55-59 had bee relaxed to 3:45

2002 57  3:34:46   B&A Trail          Used  for Boston 2003

2003 59 3:43:20    Mohawk Hudson  Used in 2004 and 2005

2005 60 3:53:08    Delaware             Didn't go in 2006, but this time was good

2006 61 3:49:30    Ocean City, MD   Used in 2007

2006 62 4:00:54    Philly                  Didn't use this time, but BQ for 2008 (by 5 seconds)

2007 62 3:55:50    Delaware              Used in 2008

2008 64 3:59:38    Mohawk Hudson   Used in 2009 

2010 66 4:13:08    Mohawk Hudson   Used in 2012         

Another way of documenting slowing times:

Sub      #   Last ran

3:30     2    1997

3:40     4    2002

3:50     7    2003

4:00    17   2008  Doubt I can do this again because I don't train "properly".

Plus           First ran

4:00+  14   1995,1997, then not until 2002  First two were 1. bitter cold day and 2. side switches

4:10+   6    2001  Four of these were Bostons

4:20+   4    2008  2009 Boston PW at 4:29:31

Not counted - One 50K and 5 fat ass trail marathons, which exceeded 26.2.

My point is going through my database (yes, I'm a numbers freak) for times, which I can refer back to for my own curiosity, is that I have seen a persistent deterioration in the fastest yearly times I can achieve.  Plus I'm leaving out the times in the 4:10s and now 4:20s that I'm starting to rack up.  I have the feeling that before I'm 68, I'll wish that I already only had to run a 4:30 to BQ.

Since I wrote this three years ago, most of my times have been in the 4:20 tp 4:45 range, with a personal worst of 5:40:17 when I tore my right gluteuos medius muslce 18 miles in and had to walk the rest of the way.