[mbreese]

Just to concur (and I’ve run a similar number) - what I tell people that ask about my training schedule is that just running a marathon isn’t the hard part. With some training and mental effort, it can be done… but that will only get you so far.

For me, the real reason for training is so that when you’re done, you can still walk normally the next day… that you have a good experience… and that your body feels better for the effort. The training takes (a lot of) time and is hard work, but if you follow a solid training plan, your body can be well prepared for it. If you don’t train enough, you will not have a good experience. I’m about 8 weeks out from my next one and this is when the grind really starts for me. But I know that if I follow the plan, I’ll have a good experience on the day of the race (and after).

Oh, and for the record, I’m nowhere near a BQ time. :)