The marathon is the crown jewel of distance running. Entering is one thing but finishing is something else... Now you have a personal trainer. Whether you're a competitive veteran or a recreational beginner, 4 Months to a 4-Hour Marathon will tell you exactly what to eat, what to wear, what to expect, and how to train. When race day arrives, author Dave Kuehls, senior writer at Runner's World and a marathoner himself, will have you in the best shape of your life - physically and mentally. All you have to do is take the first step. This essential guide includes day-by-day training schedules, detailed diet plans, how to pick the right running shoes, pain versus performance, common pitfalls to avoid in marathon running, and how to run the actual race with a respectable time. If you're going to do it, train right and do it right.