Furmanski, I just noticed your thread. I have run a number of Marine Marathons - it is a great generally flat well supported marathon and I would recommend it to all. I ran very fast times but swore at each finish I would never run another. As for your training in early August, forget all speed/tempo work. Concentrate on distance work with a balance of keeping your feet, Achilles, and knees healthy. Training in August shore-side humidity is a disadvantage ( humidity tends to suffocate and blanket progress). While you build distance (use these three weeks for serious hard long distance work before gradually shifting to shorter work which will be no picnic either) work your upper body with lifting and stomach/back work because you want to build 'stride-strength' which means getting strong enough to get more lift and drive on your stride which will be honed in September faster tempo work. You are now running some good workouts. Definitely try to hook with other runners and clubs because the support and experience (the give and take in workouts with others simulates natural hills and obstacles and builds mental toughness, and expands on the whole experience) especially because you are training in mind-deadening humid conditions. Above all, do your best to protect the investment you are making by staying healthy and avoiding injury and making it to the start line.
