training for the shamrock marathon

My time was around 1:53 hours for the half marathon.

I think my main error in my training for this upcoming marathon was not to log in enough long distance runs. In August, I tried to train intervals, thinking that I would increase my speed and not concentrate on mileage. Then, my semester teaching began, and it was no longer possible to make up for lost mileage without running at least one long run per week (at least 10 miles or more, preferably a half-marathon or more). In October, I ran at least one long run every week, which helped me a great deal. I even ran a half-marathon and achieved my best time ever (1:53). However, I am not sure that I will even beat my existing time for the marathon, 4:25, because I should be logging in consistently 35 miles per week minimum. My future goal will be much more humble: to run the Shamrock Sportsfest Marathon, but to train consistently until the race by running at least a half-marathon per week. I am going to concentrate much less on speed/interval training and work on improving my long distance runs by running more of them. I feel that if I run a half-marathon per week, I will significantly improve my time.

Winter is the best time of the year to train! 

I still think that I will be able to beat my existing time, 4:25, because I have willpower and strength of mind.

I ran the OBX marathon in Nags Head. I placed 45th for my age group with a time of 4:08, which is an improvement over my last time. I felt pretty good throughout the entire course and was able to beat my previous time of 4:25. Now, I will try to get under 4 hours while preparing for the Shamrock marathon. My new strategy will be to do a long run of 20 miles every Sunday rain or shine. That way, I will be more accustomed to running long distances. I also will try to increase my overall weekly mileage to over 40 miles per week.

Since I am an amateur, I will concentrate less on speed training and more on getting at least the mileage per week I would need to train effectively for a marathon.

All in all, I am satisfied with the improvement I made.

I had a really refreshing run. I am concentrating on simply enjoying running. Running can be a process of meditation, of letting go of stress, and of deep relaxation. Being outdoors is a plus as well. Running is a spiritual exercise; speed can come as a by product of relaxation. While my goal is to achieve a better time, I am always focused on relaxing and being aware as I run.