Run my first marathon sub 3:15

I am running my first marathon on October 19. I want to complete this is 3 hours and 15 min (7:26 min/mile).

Last few weeks have been rocky but finally getting back on track. I have had very consistent training up until week 12 where I was supposed to have a drop week but failed to run and adequate amount and skipped my long run of 14 miles then in week 13 I had a little nagging hip injury that popped up as well as a sickness that completely kept me from running further setting me back and missing a key 18 mile long run. This week I have focused on just feeling good on my runs. If I didn’t feel good I shortened my runs or didn’t do them. This was hard for me to do as I wanted to push and make up for lost training but I knew that was the wrong approach. So far it has worked very well and I got a 16 mile long run in which wasn’t the best but was done without huge amounts of pain or discomfort which shows that I’m working back into that fitness that I had week 11

So… race day wasn’t what I expected lol. 20+ mph winds mixed with some heavy rain created an interesting day. I ran a 3:28:03 which is well below my goal of 3:15 - 3:20 but I am still very happy with the result! I came through the half marathon mark at about an 1:38 so was close to on pace but around mile 14-15 I started to slow as my quads started to go and by mile 24 my quads were completely gone. I just focused on continuing to move forward no matter the pain and it got me over the line! Beyond thrilled and can’t wait for the next one!!