How to run a marathon
It made me 
"Well worth every long painful mile!"
How I did it: I overtrained. I started around last Nov. For my next marathon I won't train more than 3 months.
My training schedule consisted of two shorter runs during the week and one longer run (usually twice the length of the shorter ones) on the weekend. At the beginning the shorter runs were about 3 mi. and longer was 6-8. At the end I was doing 8.5mi. for the shorter and 17 mi. for the longer. I did do one long run of 20 mi. I tried to mix in some interval runs and "speed" workouts to mix things up sometimes.
Lessons & tips: Like I said, doing it over again, I wouldn't train for so long, but WOULD do more runs per week. I would probably do the same workouts I was doing each week, but mix in a few very short easy runs between to have at least 5 runs per week.
Don't up your mileage more than 10% each week and back off when your body tells you to (still get your run in, but just make it shorter or easier). I developed IT band issues just a few weeks before the race, which is VERY discouraging.
Ice is your friend.
Resources: I used LogYourRun.com to keep a log. I found my Garmin Forerunner to be indispensable. Also, if you are looking for a good alternative to an IPod Nano, my Sansa Clip is fantastic for running with!
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