Whether you think you can, or you think you can't; you are correct.

If you are determined to finish this marathon, go out tomorrow and destroy that 18 mile run. Show it who's boss. Then follow your plan and go out next week and run 20. If you've made it this far and you want to finish, you will finish.

If you don't think you can do it, then you're probably right. Personally, I knew my training was not the best for my first marathon. I also knew I would finish. And I did. If I had known I wouldn't finish, I'm sure I wouldn't have.

Completing a marathon requires a high level of fitness. It also requires a positive attitude and a lot of will-power. You can do it. Or you can't. But that choice is yours to make.

It's totally normal for one of the long runs to go terribly. You'll nail the next one, and all will be well.

My 16 and 18 mile training runs were COMPLETE total crap. I even came here to whine about them because I ended up walking just trying to make it back so I could go home. My next runs were awesome though. My longest was 24 before the taper and it was amazing. I ended up dropping my pace by 15 seconds but it made a smooth steady run the whole way through.

So many people contacted me and told me to stay focused and that bad runs happen (even back to back) so I'm just coming back to re-iterate that you aren't out of this fight yet so keep going.

Some good suggestions that people gave me were:

1. Never use a negative while on your run. Like instead of "I am not going to stop" say "I will do this." I wish I could find the article that they sent about it but it was a great piece that talked about what happens to negative words on a weary mind and how they can basically transform in your head.

2. This article was great and I was constantly assessing how to keep the "governor" happy during my few long runs. I wish I could remember the user that posted it to give her credit but I suck like that so thank you to whoever it was.
http://www.irunfar.com/2013/06/peak-performance-and-the-selfish-brain-the-central-governor-and-its-role-in-100-mile-performance.html

I am a week out from my first full and I've got the jitters like crazy. I feel like a million different things could go wrong at this point but dammit, we are going to do this come hell or high water. We can do this jonimwatkins!

Mental strength is at least as important as being physically prepared to run a marathon. You need to put negative thoughts out of your head and just run for your next long run. The best thing to do is run with a group that is close to your pace, having others with you will keep your mind off of what you are doing.

My first marathon these were my long runs:
13 weeks out- 14 (8:00 pace)
12 weeks out- 16 (8:30 pace)
7 weeks out- 19 (9:00 pace) - had to stop & walk multiple times. Thought I was going to die. Pace slowed down to a hault..
That's it. That's all I did. I think I did 2 more 10s? I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I was pretty confident I would finish fine.

I didn't start really "worrying" until I hit the 1/2 way point of the marathon. My fiancé yelled "now can you run the second half faster?"... I was paralyzed by fear. There is NO way I could. I slowly slowed down. By mile 20 I was slowing 1+ min per mile slower than I had started out. By mile 23 I was actually bawling. I was DEVISTATED. I had never ever expected the pain I was feeling. Sure, if ran a sub 21 5k, but NOTHING I had ever done had prepared me for my marathon. That "new" feeling scared the crap out of me... I was soooo embaressed. Everyone else seemed to be doing fine. People were flying by me.. I let my confidence go. I didn't think I would finish... When I finally got there at 4:09, I wanted to die.

Anyways, I am telling you this because I let myself become overwhelmed by the fear I was feeling during the race. I wasn't going to die. I could have pushed harder, but I was so nervous & scared.

I went back to "avenge" the marathon 11 weeks later with ZERO long runs over 13.1 inbetween. I smashed it out of the water. Why? Because I KNEW I could. I KNEW the pain, and I was not going to let it scare me or slow me down! I ran 3:47. It was a 21+ min PR.

I ran 2 more within the next 4 months for fun..

Then I buckled down & got REALLY serious about my training. I believed a 3:25 was possible. I trained all winter long. I ran a 3:27.... I still don't know how I did it. Honestly it was so wrapped in my belief that I was CAPABLE. I believed I could really run that 3:25.. On all my long runs I tried hard to stay positive even when I felt sick. I listened to motivational speeches.


You need to build yourself up. You need to believe in yourself. If there is no enemy within the enemy outside can do you no harm. Do not fear the pain you feel while running. You NEED & CAN push through your training runs as well as your marathon..

Also, it's better to shorten your taper if you feel undertrained...

Good luck. If you believe in yourself, it will go well...

Running honestly is SUCH a mental sport. Day in and day out you MUST remain mentally tough.

You're completely fine. Trust your training. It's very common around this time to start freaking out and doubting everything you've done for the last 4 months, just wait until the taper madness starts in a few weeks and you have all the nervous energy!;) The taper will help that IT band settle down too (and make sure to foam roll and ice of course). Just go out and run your 20 this weekend telling yourself you can and that it's just another long run. I ran my first marathon with a peak week of 40mpw too, very common mileage for a first time marathon. BTW - you'll LOVE Chicago, I ran it last year, the crowd support is just amazing!! I don't think I even realized I was running until I hid the 13.1 mile mark! I was so entertained by all the crowd support, signs, music, dancing, balloons, etc.!

I am not going to ask something stupid like whether there is a London marathon for virgins?

Even if the long run didn't work the first time, try it again. Others have already said you can walk too . . . maybe try 6 running and one minute walking later in the race. Adrenolin and your training will take you through.