Allen - I hear the voice of reason in what you are saying, and I thank you for it, but I certainly do not have the miles right now, or in the foreseeable future, to do well in a marathon, or do well even in a half marathon. It seems the only way to get there is to put in the mind-numbing miles and early mornings, and I simply do not think my body (or mind?) can handle that. Already have some aches and pains on the paltry 50 mpw I have been doing. So, in a nutshell, that may be it for me competitively You, my friend, did so much (in races) on so very little (low mileage/low number of training days), and I truly admire that in you. Bless you...
I am mad as a hornet right now, and so please excuse any of that anger that may be conveyed in my words or tone.
Not looking forward to going back to work to hear how all these other people are such great runners. Will likely get an earful of that.
Someone (perhaps Lanc?) said recently that he never feels more alive than when he is racing. With rare exception, I am the exact opposite. I feel nervous and dead when racing. Nervous and dead. The exceptions would be finishing Richmond 2017, finishing Shamrock 2018, and that Christmas 5k I ran in late 2018. Nothing but fear and death (and dread leading up to it) in pretty much all else...