Should I go for it or not? I realize that this kind of thing (a first-timer marathoner going for broke) raises nay Sayers and opponents like few other topics, but I have to ask because I still need the advice from those with experience. (Cross Posted on Runners World forum).

First, a little (well maybe a lot) background?I have run for about three years (a total of about 8-12 miles a week) to help lower my cholesterol . I even ran in a couple of 10Ks in 1993 and vowed never to race again (my 53 minute+ times were a physically and mentally exhausting accomplishment, not to mention a buddy of mine almost had to drag me the last couple of miles in the 2nd one).

Despite my vow, last June I decided that I would run the Arizona Rock and Roll (RnR) Half-Marathon on Jan 15, 1996. Slogging through my first 10 mile run (at about 6:00AM and a temperature of 95?its Phoenix, AZ), I couldn?t imagine doing another 3 miles to finish a half-marathon. In any case, about a month after I started, my wife talked me into targeting the RnR marathon (her argument: you are in better shape than you ever have been, go for it). With a little less than 6 months to go, I had to agree.

So, I became a little bit educated and decided I would target one of the intermediate schedules from Runner?s World. My initial goal was to finish the RnR in under 10 min/mi (<4:20). My first ?long run? ( a 14 miler in Sep) was a tough one. My 1st 20 miler averaged about 9:30/mi and my 2nd was 8:36/mi. So, I changed my target?my new target was to run a sub-4:00 marathon, a nice round milestone. Still 9+ weeks to go.

In November, I signed up for a 10K and targeted a sub-50 minute time. To my surprise, I finished in less than 46 minutes and felt I still had something in me. A week ago, I ran in a half marathon and targeted a sub-8:00 min/mi time. Once again, I beat my goal and finished at an average of 7:36 min/mi?but, that was definitely harder than the 10K. As you can imagine, the wheels in my mind started turning once again. The various online marathon time calculators seem to indicate that with those two race times, a marathon on the order of 3:30 (8:00 min/mi) might be possible. I know this is probably a really crazy thought, but that bring us up to date.

So, this week, I worked a bit harder and longer in my tempo runs and speed work. And today I had my 4th 20 mile long run. I wanted to test the waters and decided I was going to run an 8:00 min/mi pace. As many of you could probably predict, I kept on target for the first 16 and then promptly crashed and burned. The last four miles were a painful 9:15+/mi struggle.

End of story? I guess that?s where I need some advice. I still have almost two weeks before the taper and plan on training hard. So far, in my very,very,very limited race experience, it seems that race day is very different from training days (adrenaline, rest, etc). Of course, not having run a marathon puts me at a big disadvantage from knowing HOW different it is from the long training runs.

When I first decided to run the RnR marathon, my thought process was that it might possibly be the only time in my life when I might have the opportunity (time and ability). I am not thinking that anymore, but the time commitment will definitely be a drag on future marathon endeavors.

My heart says, ?Give it a shot, you don?t really have anything to lose.? But my head says, ?No way, this is a really stupid idea, get the first marathon under your belt and then take it from there.?

Ok, I?m done?but, for me, the question is still not answered. Should I go for it or not? Don?t hold back! All input, advice, and criticism will be greatly appreciated.