Personally, I usually advise against the Pfitz for a first marathon. It's a very intense, unrelenting training plan.

 

But, to each his own...

I think it depends on where a person is when they start the plan, not all first time marathoners are the same.

Edit: But lily has a point, it is called 'advanced" for a reason.

Lots of good advice has already been given but I'll throw in my perspective after just now completing his 18/70 for the first time.

1. Buy the book (paper version) over the Kindle. I actually started with the Kindle and then ordered the book as well because the charts and figures are just better in the printed copy.
2. Read, then re-read, then read again the descriptions of the workouts and their purpose. Pfitz does a great job of breaking down WHY you do each workout and then WHY he periodizes them into the different mesocycles. You don't have to fully understand it all, but recognizing that it is purposefully constructed makes a huge difference.
3. Run your recovery paced runs at recovery pace ... even if your legs feel like going. 
4. I loved the speed-work (intervals and tempo runs) in the plan. Though they're tough workouts they leave you feeling amazingly strong and fast. Also, begin those workouts at the slower end of your pace range and finish stronger on the last one. Generally, when I finished mine, I was thankful that there wasn't one more interval or one more tempo-pace mile left. (though I surely would have done them to satisfy my OCD)
5. Run your recovery paced runs slower ... yes, it's that important that I'm repeating myself.
6. I actually found the toughest part of the plan was the mid-week MLR, but purely from a time perspective. It can be difficult to make the time to run that one with work & family.
7. I was most scared of the LR with a portion @ marathon pace. However, I never had a problem in hitting my paces on those runs and they turned out to be real confidence boosters.
8. Like Lily said, most folks modify Pfitz's plans and that was true with me. I actually added a very easy recovery--ish paced run on Monday (Pfitz's rest/cross day) What I found was that it rejuvenated my legs after Sunday's long run and really got me ready for the week's workouts. The key to Pfitz is really seeing the quality workouts each week and then making sure your body is prepared to actually do quality work on that day.
9. Don't neglect proper nutrition, post-run stretching/rolling and core/strength work during the plan. Following one of Pfitz's training plans can leave you tired and not feeling like taking even more time to workout/stretch. In the long run, it's worth the few extra minutes of time.

Well, that got longer than I intended ... but I am on taper so cut a guy some slack.

Thanks Bruce, good advice, getting ready to start the 18/70 soon.  Good luck at your race!

I wrote "Bruce has right". I need more coffee. Or I have tapering leftover. One of the two.

You'll be fine, Bruce. Being nervous before a race is the sign you're a good racer.

 

Or it is a personality trait, which is fine as well.

Definitely the case with me as I only stopped getting nerves last year after 10 years of  racing.

Hubby is a great racer and I have never seem him nervous, like ever.  It's highly annoying.

 

I don't get nervous either, it's all business for me.  So I would annoy you as well.  ; )

I can't ever imagine that.  Plus of course it only annoys me because he is my hubby, cause that's the way

spouses are.

Of course I'm sure my pre-races nerves and multiple potty visits drive him crazy, he is just too nice to say anything.

I hate flying too, every second of it and don't relax for one minute.  He loves it. The flight to Ireland is going to be fun, NOT.

Thanks Bruce, good advice, getting ready to start the 18/70 soon.  Good luck at your race!

So, you are going to do Lehigh?