Don't laugh

Sounds about right to me

Sounds to me as if you are peddling fiction.

Is it possible to cover 26 miles in 4:38 if you aren't walking?

The silver backed glass did not force you to speak, but when asked about the fairest of all, the silver backed glass must respond in kind. For the merchants of deceipt shall hold reign over their kingdom in the absence of those seeking the absolute.

Thank the silver backed glass for the pleasure.

The calculator says that a 48 minute 10k give you a 3:50 marathon, although not on 28 miles per week average. If you keep that exact training, you can certainly take a chunck of time off just by getting stronger. If you increase the weekly average, maybe get it closer to your high from this time, you can start to approach four hours, I'd guess.

I agree with NYer. You will likely run much faster the next time even on the same training. And if you add a little mileage (even as little as 10 miles per week) your gains will be substantial.

It takes a lot longer than 6 months to hit your maximum endurance at any level of training. Just keep training consistently (no long breaks unless you are injured) and increase your mileage if you can. Your marathon times will plummet

If you?re male, should be faster. I took a similar 10K time, and did about 24 mpw average over 6 months, and peaked at 31 mpw. 3 miles twice a week, and a weekly long run getting up to 26 miles (did that 4 times). At age 46, at altitude, on an 85 degree day, I did 4:17. Only marathon ever.

And as usual, mirror-breath is unable to comprehend that outside of his own realm of experience.

Yep, you should be doing it faster. Buddy of mine (age 39) flew to Ohio to run Columbus Marathon, he has a 45 minute 10K PR, he ran 4 miles a day except for his long run on the weekend, and he ran 3:55 and negative splitted the second half.

Are you just a joker or are you serious?

No, I'm serious. I'm thinking that maybe this distance is too long for me. Your posts are making me believe it is.

Nah. If you enjoy the distance, then try it again. We don't know the course or the race day conditions. Also, in the first marathon you usually get into that mindset of running comfortably as long as you can so that you can guarantee a finish. I'll bet you knock serious time off the next time. Don't give up on it.

Don't get discouraged. The marathon beats up a lot of people the first time around. I ran a marathon the same year I started running. I ran a 10k in 38 minutes two months beforehand, but all I could manage in the marathon was a 4:10. It takes the body a little while to build the endurance if you don't have it already. I am shooting for a ~2:40 in Philadelphia, so improvement is not as elusive as you might think.

Add some speedwork. No need to be structured. Some fartlek or "attacking the hills" a couple times a week.

Friend of mine did 3 marathons right around the 4:00 mark. She got involved with a running club, added 2x a week speed and is now a 3:05 marathoner and looking for 2:55.