Preparing the marathon of an IM (Page 2)

In general, for long runs, it is better to talk abaout distances than time unless you run your session very very slow, then the wall of 3hrs should not be hit.

But not you refer to a "long" sandwich session, which I have seen on several plans but still I do not understand the sense of that. If I do not plan any duathlon race, would not be better to change that session with a longer brick? Are not bricks enough and sandwich mandatory?

I ask you because I ate the sandwich session. 

I guess I was basing that on what Rick and some of the comments on slowtwitch were saying about a max of 2 hours. Of course, for you maybe it only takes 2 hours to go 22-23 miles?

"I ask you because I ate the sandwich session." hate or ate? That's a funny slip

This is where, as a first timer, I'll admit to being naive. I am going to trust the plan. Mike obviously knows what he is talking about. Granted, he is a very gifted athlete but I put more stock in the testamonials and his philosophy than I do in his performances. In fact, yesterday a first timer blogged that he put out an 11:25 using the plan. That is only one person and I know nothing of his background but it is consistent with what others have said about the plan (in general, not a specific time).

as I've mentioned I'm no youngster and I'm looking to get to the starting line healthy and to run the entire marathon. I think the run sruucture, sandwhiches, bricks, durations (for the most part) etc will do that for me.

Trust me, I prefer to eat the sandwhiches too