Skypilot, you're right.  Every marathon I've run, the 20 mile point is still 1/2way to the finish. At any time your body can break down without a hint. Apart from injuries I've encountered overtraining syndrome because of my borderline OBSESSIVE nature that so many people see as being a good thing. IT AINT! It's a mental breakdown, lack of self control. OS will get you sick, cause your body to injure, lose perspective socially and other issues.

JMSalsman wrote:

Please don't let them get you discouraged.  If you REALLY want to run a marathon than there's absolutely nothing that will stop you.  Sure it's going to be tough, but if you've dedicated yourself to it, then go for it.  Then when you've done it, you can rub it in their faces that you proved everyone wrong!  Go get 'em!

JMSalsman, you're a marathon rookie compared to us. No ones rubbing anything into my face you childish dufus. No one here said it couldn't be done, look back at post. I did 2 in the same season within a few months of my decade or so of running sabbitacal. There's a right way and a wrong method to everything.

Oorah

Semper Fi

Gotcha, thanks.