Give it to me straight--am I being unrealistic in my goal?

I think if you get enough miles in and stay healthy, you have a good chance.

Come back when you lose the 20 lbs. Unless you can do that you're only dreaming. Personally I doubt you'll do it or you would have already.

You didn't mention how many miles per week you put in for your first marathon, but your goal is entirely reasonable and achievable if you get steady miles in and work on your weight. As someone who has fought the weight battle in the past I will say try to plan a diet where you lose a pound a week. It is extremely difficult to have the energy to train consistently and lose weight any faster. Also, when I was in a similar situation, I planned to lose a pound a week, and was very happy with myself when I actually lost about 1/2 pound per week on the program. I found that eating intelligently was much tougher than training intelligently. Good luck with your efforts!

How much mileage are you averaging right now, and how much were you averaging when you ran your 1:49 HM? How far is your current long run? According to McMillan's calculator, a 1:49 HM translates to a 3:50 marathon.

If you realistically believe that you are in shape to train a little harder for the marathon than you did your PR half, you should be able to run a 3:45. This is going to mean more mileage and longer long runs. If you think that this extra work is going to result in less quality training than you did for your PR half, you should maybe set your goals lower.

I'm not an expert, but I don't think you should try to diet and train at the same time. Focus on the type of food you eat- cut out excessive soft drinks, candy and fast food in exchange for healthy foods, but don't try to cut back on the amount of food you eat unless you're a chronic overeater.

Who cares whether people on this board think you can or not, is that going to affect your effort? If you want to run 3:45 then train hard, you'll either do it or not. Then check back and have your training critiqued.

Thanks for your advice...I appreciate it!

Honestly, yes, you are asking for too much RIGHT NOW if you expect to run 1:52 for back-to-back half marathons when your PR for the distance is 1:49. Unless you are running tons of miles, ie well over 100 per week, that is not realistic right now. You would probably need to drop your half PR down to 1:40ish before 3:45 is realistic.

That said, if you are serious about increasing your training and you lose the excess weight, it's definitely possible to achieve those times. Good luck.

If you lose 20 pounds because of increased running and are healthy on race day, you'll most likely have a good PR well under 4:00.

If you lose 20 pounds because you stop eating, maybe not.

Do it smart and don't concentrate on a specific time or amount of weight loss. Run more and the rest will take care of itself.

A 1:49 half is equal to a 3:48 marathon.

You don't need to lose weight, but you will.

What is your environment like? Your support network?

You're racing in April '08? Hope it's a warm weather race.

How are you fixed for sit-ups and push-ups?

In January you should be doing a minimum of 100 sit-ups a day.

Have you ever properly tapered? 21 days before cut back on your mileage.

If your weekly mileage was 50+

Three weeks out 40 mpw

Two weeks out 30 mpw

One week before 20mpw

Are you running on an indoor track or treadmill this winter?

What foods in your life can you go cold turkey on one month before your 26.2?

Cheeseburgers? Soda? Chips? Fries? Ice Cream? Chocolate?

Are you already doing raisins, fresh fruits, carrot sticks, etc.?

Can you afford a spin class at the local gym in the next couple of months? Those Nazi's can really make you sweat!

What is your weekly long run? 60 minutes? 90 minutes?

You may want to count the miles, better to measure the minutes and time spent building towards your goal.

Can you do 2 hour runs once a month through Dec. Jan. Feb.?

Do you stretch out much before or after a run?

Have you had your running form videotaped? If you knew what you looked like and understand what is proper, efficient form you could shave 5 to 10 minutes off your race time.

If you've never run faster than a 9:48 minute per mile pace in a marathon, than understand that you need LSD (long, slow distance) and lot's of it. Ten min. pace will get you six miles in one hour, nine in ninety minutes.

Build yourself up, don't tear yourself down by trying to do too much speed too soon. You need a good foundation of mileage first.

You need a little bit more speed (not that much. About a 1:45 1/2 marathon) and a lot more endurance. Your current half marathon time predicts a sub-4 hour run so you obviously need to build up your stamina. I'm a little faster than you at the 1/2 and just barely creep below 4 hours in the marathon. My advice would be to aim for a PR and (if all goes well) a sub 4 hour finish. OTOH, you have enough time to build up your endurance and lose some weight, so who knows?

You're racing in April '08? Hope it's a warm weather race.

Racing in Salt Lake City...should be pretty decent weather

How are you fixed for sit-ups and push-ups?

Check on the sit-ups and push-ups

In January you should be doing a minimum of 100 sit-ups a day. That won't be a problem

Have you ever properly tapered? 21 days before cut back on your mileage.

If your weekly mileage was 50+

Three weeks out 40 mpw

Two weeks out 30 mpw

One week before 20mpw

Great taper tips...thanks.

Are you running on an indoor track or treadmill this winter?

Mix of treadmill and outdoors--I'm in northern NV, doesn't get too cold, wind can be brutal though.

What foods in your life can you go cold turkey on one month before your 26.2?

Cheeseburgers? Soda? Chips? Fries? Ice Cream? Chocolate?

All of the above...sugar is my main enemy.

Are you already doing raisins, fresh fruits, carrot sticks, etc.?

Absolutely.

Can you afford a spin class at the local gym in the next couple of months? Those Nazi's can really make you sweat!

I have a spin bike in my home gym--good for cross training!

What is your weekly long run? 60 minutes? 90 minutes?

You may want to count the miles, better to measure the minutes and time spent building towards your goal.

Another good tip...I have been going by minutes, but I think I need to go by mileage so I know exactly what kind of miles I'm putting in per week. Long run right now is around 60 minutes.

Can you do 2 hour runs once a month through Dec. Jan. Feb.?

Absolutely.

Do you stretch out much before or after a run?

Yep--mostly after.

Have you had your running form videotaped? If you knew what you looked like and understand what is proper, efficient form you could shave 5 to 10 minutes off your race time.

Another good tip.

If you've never run faster than a 9:48 minute per mile pace in a marathon, than understand that you need LSD (long, slow distance) and lot's of it. Ten min. pace will get you six miles in one hour, nine in ninety minutes.

Build yourself up, don't tear yourself down by trying to do too much speed too soon. You need a good foundation of mileage first.

Thanks, I appreciate your thoughtful questioning and tips--gave me some things to think about!

Put your head down, do the work, lose the weight and don't even think about your goal time until around 8 weeks out.

Small portions at dinner today!

The usual mix of sound advice and nonsense.

Yes,course you can do it. Most serious runners should be able to run 3:45 with the right training.

Don't 'diet' and train heavily. Certainly don't eat small portions. Just have a sensible diet- cut out the junk food and snacks and eat plenty of carbs.

Race once a month and review progress setting your marathon target a month out. Better to go out at 4:00 pace if that reflects your level of fitness than to try for 3:45 and limp home in 4:00 or worse.

Good luck and I hope it isn't warm on race day.

what will happen wrote:

I'll give it to you straight...straight up your tight ass!!

That wasn't very nice.

this thread would be better with pictures.

Decreasing your weight by 20 lbs through training and healthy eating will allow you to significantly improve your marathon personal best. You seem to be motivated and focused on your goal and I think you can get close to 3:45 in the future. Don't forget to have fun!

Better to go out at 4:00 pace if that reflects your level of fitness than to try for 3:45 and limp home in 4:00 or worse.

That is exactly what I want to avoid--doing the death shuffle at the end and coming in over 4:00.

I think you will be amazed at how much more fit you will feel just by shedding the unwanted weight even without signifcant fitness gains. Try and stick to a sensible diet and increase the mileage; stay consistent and you will accomplish a lot.

Just go for it. Give it your best effort and good things will happen.

Best of luck.

Of course you can! Get in at least 45 miles a week, work on tempo runs to get your speed up, just make those longer than you normally would since you haven't run in awhile, right? Start with 3 and then the next day to 4.5, though you only have 22 weeks to get into shape for 26.2 miles.

Just don't diet too much, you lose a LOT of calories when you run! After a workout, if you feel your stomach it should be cold. If it's not you didn't burn more than 100 calories or you weren't working very hard. If it's pretty cold, that might be about 250, if it's cold for an hour afterwards, you burned a loooooot!

I also recommend for you time-speeding-up that you work on cross-training, too. Especially work on your strides!!! Just making your strides a little longer can make a huge difference! When you run on a sidewalk, make sure to make your strides about one foot in each square, longer is better. Leg strengthening is also important, working the hills can also increase your endurance and speed. :) Hope this helps!!

With the exception of a few juvenile posts, you all have been really helpful! Thanks so much--I appreciate the encouragement!