My answer to that question is: Yes and No.
I don't think that I can run the entire 26.2 miles (or 42.16481 km) because after reading all the training tips on running the marathon and how to prepare for a marathon, I have come to the realisation that 6-7 weeks of training would not be sufficient to condition one's body to complete a marathon. The recommended regime for someone planning to run the marathon is to increase his/her weekly mileage by 10 percent over a period of 16 to 18 weeks. So if I have ran a total of 20kms last week, I should do 22kms this week and 24.2kms next week. However, what I have done over the past 2-3 weeks was I ran 20kms on the first week, 26kms on the following week and 37kms just last week. Many experts are saying that ramming up the mileage too much over a short period will set one up for stress fractures and many other potential injuries!
On the other hand, I still believe I can complete the marathon based on the following reasons:
1. I consider myself quite an active person; I do some form of exercise every week - either going for a run, weights training or kayaking. They may not be very intensive but they still get my heart rate up to 120-130 bpm. This gives me a fairly 'ok' base conditioning.
2. I have been through training as a competitive athlete at an earlier part of my life, although only at a national level but it has taught me the mechanics of training hard, recovery methods and eating right. So I have a fairly good concept of training.
3. Lastly I believe I have the mental determination to go through the marathon including the next 5 and a half weeks of running.
Saying that, I still must add that if I were to attempt another marathon next year, I would definitely start training 16-18 weeks before the event instead of 6-8 weeks! Yes, I have to admit that my decision to run the marathon this year is somewhat last minute and impulsive. which is why I would be reminding myself quite often the above 3 reasons for a bit of reassurance that I can do it and of course pray for God's grace upon my knees.
Fortunately there is one thing in life that we would not be penalised for being late or for making a last minute decision - that is coming to know Christ and acknowledging Him as our personal saviour.
Jesus spoke about the parable of the workers in the vineyard in Matthew 20:1-6. To summarise, a landowner hired workers to work in his vineyard for a day; the workers started at different times of the day - some early in the morning, some mid-morning, some mid-day, some in the afternoon and some started close to the end of the day; but all these workers were paid the same wage!
In essence, God is the landowner and He extends His grace to everyone who is willing to come to repentance while living on this earth. In fact He invites us to receive His grace just like the landowner who approached the people standing around the market place without work, invites them to work for him and promises to pay whatever is right.
It probably wouldn't sound logical but that is God's grace for you and all I can say is this: don't think, believe.
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