I read this awhile ago- thanks for the update. this will be my 1st marathon. Been reading alot on runners world about the do's and don'ts. They have specific comments on the big three, NY, Marine corp, and Chicago. Any words of advice on Grandmas or a 1st time marathon? Tom

Thanks for the info! Since this is the 1st time actually training for a race, its been a "learning on the run" thing. Because of my schedule, I have turned to a 3 day a week training program. I'm sure I will finish, but not so sure it will get me in on a time I really want. But for a 1st time, I think it will do. Hardest thing so far is trying to control the pace. I run with a garmin, and my pace fluctuates quite a bit. I hope this is something that will come with time. Part of the problem is that there are a lot of rolling hills near my house, so tight pace is not a reality for my shorter runs. I started doing my longer runs on the Erie canal path, which has minimal variation in elevation. I know Chicago has pace groups - anything like that in Grandmas? Looks like Grandmas is relatively flat most of the way. On the course map, there is a little blip at mile 8 and then Lemon Drop Hill. Hopefully after a few miles I can settle in with a common pace group.

One piece of advice I liked from RW forum was goal planning. Not sure the terms they used, but basically - 1.) very realistic (finishing) 2.) Possible (break 4 hours) and 3) pie in the sky - which for me is beating my brother. He is aiming at a 3:50 time. I am a late comer to running, and never trained or ran track in school. Got into it through HHH and the Pittsburgh running groups. Used to run quite a bit, but not so much the past few years until getting back this year. I'm finding my speed isn't very close to what I thought it would be.