I can’t thank everyone here enough for all the encouragement. @Marlies Kort and @Baz Zwaan you have helped me to do something that I never thought I could do. I’m so worn out and had to walk towards the end a bit but I made sure to run over the finish line and I wasn’t the last person either!!!!! My nutrition plan was good. I didn’t get a migraine which I tend to do on long runs. My heart rate stayed in MHR until the last 10k but I consider that a huge win!!! I just feel so accomplished. Today has been my best day and I couldn’t be happier. Good luck to everyone else who has a race coming up soon. You’re going to be great!!!!

So he could wait for the other 13, unorganized, slow-walking, sketchy-looking turkeys to follow. And to see the runner approach, slow to a jog, then walk, then stand as they all crossed. The runner was not sure whether turkeys attack when numbers favor them. Gladly, I can report that the runner was able to proceed and finish the workout - without being chased by turkeys!

I’ve been working really hard at this and doing my best to follow all the instructions but I’m still feeling intimidated to do the run. My goal is to finish. It needs to be in 6 hours or less to be an official complete and I don’t know why my nerves are really getting to me. Based on my MHR, I should be okay with a buffer of time but I’ve never run this long. Physically I’m feeling really good. I’ve been loving the interval runs and the MHR runs but I still feel nervous. I have gels, snacks and will carry water with me in my running vest. Does anyone have any tips for success? Is the first marathon always this nerve wracking???

New to the group here. I have half a dozen or so marathons and ultras under my belt - including a PR at Boston! Adapting the Marathon program to target Half Marathons, including Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids later in 2023, planning on success in the 60+ age group in those races. I also race mountain and gravel bikes so need to interweave and manage the training for both. Looking forward to learning a more efficient and effective way to meet these goals. In week 2 of 9Mile training and going very well but will adjust intensity up a few beats. For 2024, I will pursue meeting or beating my 2014 Detroit half marathon time of 1:32 - huge goal!