interesting comments, and all useful ammunition to be used when starting trainining for a marathon. obviously you need a level of fitness to complete a marathon, but how you wish to complete it, is the decider how fit you should be,i.e: do you just want to complete it and say DONE THAT, or do you want to go for the best possible time which is with in you?. Personally i didnt really train that hard for vlm12 or the recent dublin marathon, not that i think that im super fit, but what i did believe i have and still do,is to have a strong mental approach . its is equally important if not more, if that thing inside your skull says thats it, GAME OVER, then game over it is no matter how fit you are, so yes plenty of training is important, but sort your skull out as well or it wont happen. If you have a strong mind your 3/4 of the way there. which means you dont need to give up any of the naughty stuff in life, Beer/ Currys, need i say more