that guy didn't buy any chance go to a soccer viewing party the day before and get drunk, beat up by an irish guy and then got lost in the south side of chicago, get driven back to his house and only get a few hours of sleep before the race...

...did he?

I don't think registration is open yet for 2009 but I am signed up for the 2008 marathon

Sadly, I meant what I said [insert fat guy emoticon here]

Sadly, I meant what I said [insert fat guy emoticon here]

Actually if you are just getting back to running you are better off waiting until 2009 to do a marathon. You could think about working up to a 5k or 10k this year and then doing the Soldier field 10 miler next May. That might put you in a good position for starting your marathon training next June.

And for a humorous (and perhaps motivating) look at marathoning, check out the "Run, Fat Boy, Run" movie.

Thanks. Im trying to be pretty realistic about where I am at and how long its going to take.

http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00novice.htm

The basic idea is you first get yourself to the point where you can run 6 miles and do 20 miles a week. Then you follow this 18 week schedule - the key being doing your prescribed long run on the weekend. It builds you from doing 6 miles to 20, prepares you mentally (which is half the battle) and gives you a good shot at getting to race day uninjured.

Good luck....

I can't run 3 feet without breaking down.

Yeah, all this beer is not hemoping.

Yeah, all this beer is not hemoping.

Pretty relieving to read this because that's pretty much what I'm doing on my own...although I have a slightly different pace...I use the eliptical machine Mondays and Fridays, do my long run on Sundays, and an 8 mile run in 60 minutes or less if possible on Wednesdays, and in between I lift weights (never maxing out, just to maintain muscle).

One thing I've heard, even from my dad, is a good idea is to do leg lifts a few weeks before the marathon. He has run 6 or 7 marathons in his life and said the only time his legs locked up on him was the one time he didn't do that.

I think I'm at a good place right now, but I really want to do well in the marathon, not just finish. I know I can do better than what I put in as my target, which is 6 hours.

Right now I can do 10 miles in 78 minutes.

10 miles in 78 minutes is sub-8 minute miles. You are on pace to do a 3:40 marathon.

if i can run the marathon under 4 hours, i'm gonna treat myself to a whore that night...maybe two.

if i can run the marathon under 4 hours, i'm gonna treat myself to a whore that night...maybe two.

For more 'bang for your buck' I'd wait until the next night. You might be too tired after your 3:40.