Calling any athletes! Need a training buddy for Boston

Hi, I 'm new to this website -

10 years ago I ran 3 marathons (to finish) and was in good shape.  Then I had 3 kids!  Two years ago I was fat and out of shape.  I felt awful, mentally.  Last year I finally lost 25 of my extra pounds (present from baby #3) and hired a trainer to help me get back into shape (strength training once a week).  That was a very good decision.  This year I've done several running races, loved that, added biking and did a couple of duathelons this fall, (so fun!) and just added swimming (it's not pretty, I'm learning).  I feel better!

SO - I've decided I want to run a marathon again.  Not just any marathon though - I want to run Boston, the most prestigeous marathon there is!  Do to this, I must first qualify by running another marathon in <4 hours. (1 hour fast than I've ever done) - a realistic goal based on my recent race times.  I'm excited about this!  I've started a special training program.  A key part of my success demands that I must lose "that last 10 pounds".    I hope someone will understand that for me, that 10 pounds is a BIGGER challenge than the training - really!     

MY CHALLENGE - I have JUST 16 weeks to get myself into super shape to run 42km in < 4 hours.  I know from recent experience that losing that 10 pounds will have a HUGE impact on my ability to succeed.  I am determined to accomplish this before I get any older or some key body part stops working!   My weaknesses include chocolate and passion flakies, plus I come from a heavy family.  I also have 3 kids and a husband who eat whatever they want & remain toothpicks! 

Despite this, I must to get back to what I weighed before all these kids so I can succeed.  I know from experience that given my competitive-with-self nature, accountability to someone else helps me to succeed.  So - if anyone else is training & has similar goals & wants a "food buddy" please reply!  

Hi- I'm new to this website too.  I want to qualify for Boston as well.  I ran the Columbus Marathon (Ohio) in October of 2006 in 5 hours and 39 minutes!  Since then, I have only been doing half marathons and my most recent time was the Indianapolis Marathon in 2:16.  I am now training for the Flying Pig marathon in Cincinnati and want to get down to 1:50 and then I would like to run the Akron Marathon in 3:40 to qualify for Boston.  I would like to drop about 15 pounds because I think it would help with my speed.  I have always been a slow runner and this is a daunting task for me.  I would appreciate hearing how you are progressing.  I have recently been running a pretty steady 10:30 pace for long distances, but I don't know how I am going to run an 8:40 pace for 26 miles!  I am in a running group and we do speedwork, but I've always been pretty lazy about it.  I want this to be my year.  How do you plan to do it?

When I qualified for Boston I used a training schedule out of the book "Advanced Marathoning" by Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas. If you two need a kick ass training schedule, check this book out!