Marathon...10 weeks enough time? (Page 2)

I am not sure how many people here have run a marathon but I just have one saying for you:

Respect the Distance.

That makes no sense when compared to your first piece of advice. You first tell him he can do anything he sets his mind to and now you say respect the distance? Do you see how that would be confusing?

There are plenty of marathoners here. I have only done two stand-alone, and as I crossed the finish line at each I was grateful for the miles I had put in. I wasn't over 100 miles per week or anything, but I was usually between 35 and 50, with rest weeks and plenty of periodization mixed in.

Mike

That I agree with.

And many here have run them.  I'd hazard that most offering advice have at least finished a few each.

He can do anything he puts his mind to... why not?

I'm merely saying- don't think it will be easy.

to put it in a nice way that's just plain dumb...

I'll give you a different perspective. It's all about your body, you know what it can take injury free vs. your goals. 

However...just for perspective... it certainly can be done. I've run 10+ marathons without ever running 80 mpw. Two years ago I did 3 fall marathons, running no more than 20 mpw in the months leading up to them, some weeks not running. Not smart, but I know my body, I know I don't get hurt, and I knew that I wasn't going to go fast. So again, it's balancing your goals with what you're confident you can accomodate without injury.  

Reading your posts, it looks as though you're a bit nervous about injury, given your ITB. That's probably the loudest voice you should have in your head, because at the end of the day, that's what matters. I personally wouldn't have a qualm about doing it with your mileage. But it's you that has to believe and want that, and it doesn't sound like you're completely convinced. You probably shouldn't.

A marathoner here - and I totally agree with Daremo. There are tons of marathons out there. No need to rush to this one.  if you want to do one. Pick one where you have at least 16-18 weeks to build up sensibly with a training plan.

So basically you have been running 10 miles a week for this year average.  To finish your full mary sub 4 hours it would be nice to be running around 40 miles a week.  My vote is just say no.  Quadrupling your run distances over 10 weeks is not wise and there is the taper in there if you chose to for a week or 2.

I would just pick a late season Mary and give it a decent 6 months to build for it.  A mary isn't something you really want to get into if you are not appropriately  trained for it... makes for a long day. 

I went 9 months between my first half may and a full mary and averaged 100 miles a month building to 140-150 miles per month prior to the race.  So that is like 2-3x your distance.  The last 6 miles still sucked. 

As always is your choice, but running is the most stressful on the body of the 3 events to increase distance in.