It definitely gets easier. You are bold for doing your first 20-miler on a work day! If you have a typical marathon training plan you'll back off for a week or two, then the next time you try a 20-miler you will see that it is much easier!

This is why I waited til my kids were teenagers before I really got serious about running, lol! Great job for finishing your first 20er; you'll be in great shape for that marathon!

I'm just going to put this out there. More than likely i won't be running any 20s in my marathon training. I'll more likely cap my longest long runs at 3 hours and 15 mins which would be about 16-18 miles. I'm considering this because I don't think the benefit outweighs the risk and the strain it would put on me for recovery time and physical time that I'd be required to be away from my familial responsibilities. Do I think i can complete a marathon without running any 20s? Yes I do. My training is going so well. I'm 12 weeks out and I'm consistently hitting over 50 miles a week and I haven't run over 14 miles yet. I'll peak at 60 even if i don't pass 18 miles for a long run. Capping my runs at 3:15 will lessen my recovery time so i can keep up with my weekday miles. So you know you can run 20, what about continuing with training but not running 4 hours again? You know, until race day. Just a thought.

My $.02 - the more 20 milers the better. I love 20 mile training runs and they do got easier, but only when you have sufficient mileage to support them. I only wish the marathon would end at 20.

Very nice! Now go run a 10k really quick.

I literally LOL'd at this.

They do get easier. . . kudos to you for doing your first before a shift.

First 20 miler is a huge accomplishment. Still blows my mind when I look down at my Garmin and see 20.00. However, as you get mentally stronger, 20m will become easier. Breaking it down into 4 5 mile runs helps avoid being overwhelmed.

I like the 20 mile runs too just not on the weekdays. For runs like that or longer I prefer a nap not work.

First, congrats on your first 20-miler! That's an awesome accomplishment! They do get easier over time .

If you are feeling sick post-run, you may want to take a close look at what you used for mid-run fueling. I know that I've found SEVERAL things that do not agree with my stomach over the course of 20+ miles.

Personally, I LOVE long runs. The more long runs, the better . But I'm just a masochist (or a dumbarse) like that.

First off congrats on your first 20. Good news though, like Dave said it will get to the point where it feels better......not sure I'd ever say it gets easy as you'll start to push yourself even more. The biggest thing I'd suggest is the long run be reserved for you day off, I can't even imagine going into work after running 20. Let us know how the next one goes.

I agree with Don.

You have plenty of time before your October marathon. If you can run 20 miles in training, you absolutely can complete 26.2 on race day. The other runners and spectators will provide you with extra energy.

Have faith in your plan and you will be ready

First, it does get easier. I think you have to have one or two training runs that really challenge you mentally and physically. My worst run ever was my first run at 14 miles. When I finished at the end of my street, I had to grab the street sign to stop the world from spinning around. Of course, part of that had to do with the heat and humidity. But I had been running in the heat and humidity for weeks in the middle of the day.

That was after great training runs at 8, 10, and 12 miles. And it was a 10K that I ran with no running training (just walked and walked and walked before the race) that had me think, I could get back into running.

Two weeks later the 17-miler went better and the 20 miler three weeks after that was a "piece of cake." It rained the entire way and I ran in it. Then on to 23-miles and finally 28. Was I tired after each? Yes, but not wasted like I was after the 14-miler.

if you continue to run after your marathon in October and maintain a level of training, 20-milers will be "easy" and mostly require time. I've run three marathons since last November and though my mileage never really falls off too far, knocking off 15 or 20 miles is "nothing" (i.e., it is no longer as daunting as the first time you approach and run that distance for your first marathon).

For this fall, I ran my 20-miler 3 weeks ago and 23 this past weekend. My head really wasn't into running 23 miles, but I did it anyway and did it right by sticking to the pace rather than trying to get it over and done with. That's part of the training...the mental stamina. I'll be a little off cycle on my 26-mile run (I plan to run it on Labor Day) and the in early October I run my last really long-run of 29-30 miles. They are long, yes, but no longer intimidating.

There are different plans and strategies to how to prepare for a race. The trick is finding one that works for you.

The marathon is such an honest race that you have to do the training. But if you allow yourself a little luxury of having an occasional bad training day and learn from it ("why couldn't Phidippides have died at 20 miles?"), there will be a day when you realize that it really is awe that you sense about the magic of "20-miles". You were once in awe of those that could go 20 miles...and now you are one of "them."

It is a rare and elite group. Welcome to it.