Apprentice Marathoner wrote:
I was thinking on still doing 3 long runs (17 -> 19 -> 22 miles) in these following weeks and then "rest" for 2 weeks before the marathon.
That basic approach worked for me, but I included four runs of 18 or more miles Below are my weekly totals (starting 15 weeks from the marathon), and my long runs.
Three weeks out from the marathon, I ran 20 miles at 7:58/mi on Monday and 15 miles at 7:30/mile on Saturday. Then pretty much rested for two weeks like you have planned.
I was 57 at the time, so you have an age advantage; on the other hand, although it had been 13 years since I had run one, I did have prior marathon experience.
15-week training:
11.0 miles (2 runs); LR 10 @ 7:47/mi
14.6 miles (2 runs); LR 10 @ 8:14/mi
15.0 miles (2 runs); LR 10 @ 7:54/mi
21.6 miles (2 runs); LR 12 @ 7:51/mi
15.0 miles (1 run); LR 15 @ 8:29/mi
4.0 miles (2 runs)
7.0 miles (2 runs)
33.0 miles (3 runs); LR 18 @ 8:38/mi
31.4 miles (3 runs); LR 20 @ 8:25/mi
28.9 miles (3 runs); LR 15 @ 7:52/mi
26.0 miles (2 runs); LR 23 @ 8:48/mi
29.6 miles (4 runs); LR 9 @ 7:22/mi
46.4 miles (4 runs); LR 20 @ 7:58/mi
18.6 miles (3 runs); LR 9 @ 7:43/mi
4.0 miles (1 run)
Marathon: 3:25:27 (7:51 avg); gun-time splits 1:43:54 -1:41:56
Good luck! Hope this comparison adds to your confidence. You can do it!