mind you, I'm not a newbie, but after years of running and ingesting Daniels, Pfitz, et al, sometimes I just feel as confused as I always was...........

I'm turning 52 in Oct. about the time I do marathon #3; did Portland the last two years in ~3:56-58. I do 35-40 mpw pretty much all year now, peaking at about 50 or so when training for a marathon. 10K PR is 48:30, 15K PR is 1:15:30. Training pace has improved over the last few years, very gradually. EZ/training pace usually around 8:45, but if you ask me what MP is for me it would have to be 9:00. 9:00 feels slow, but I've read all the warnings about doing long runs to fast. I'm thinking at some point there is a top limit to that, though......

Anyway, I've come a long way and am generally happy with my ability and progress, but naturally want to continue to progress while I can. I've taken up some lighter strength training since Jan. this year, stayed with it, and feel/look better, although nothing has changed much on my 5-10, 155-60# frame other than a little definition.

While I am worlds ahead of some, I also know I'm light years behind many also (in training regimen). Here are my questions:

1) can I BQ? I don't think I can do 70mpw. BQ right now for me is 3:35, and I know it's not happening this year. Part 2 of this question would be can I BQ in a few years when I move up an age group to 55, at 3:45?

2) anything over 9:00 pace just seems too slow, even though that's what I would currently shoot for over 26.2. Do I really need to do long runs at 9:30 or slower? I did 22m Sunday at about 9:10 and felt like it was a markedly slower effort than past long runs, but didn't feel any better. I just don't know how to get past the inevitable fade when you're out there over 3.5 hours, just seems physiologically impossible, even with best fuel/nutrition efforts, taper, etc.

i do some speed work, but could do more. I am a meticulous logger of miles and times, but probably not a great student of periodization, etc.

thanks for sticking with my rambling thoughts here; appreciate any feedback...........