Here's my question...I have been out for the last 3 weeks due to IT Band problems, if it heals in time for the marathon, should I attempt to run it? Keep in mind I'll have been not running for at least 6 weeks total. I'm sure I know the answer to this, however I would like other peoples opinions. I have never run a marathon before.

Thanks for your responses!

I'll tell you what a wise old man named Dave Harkin told me when I was in the same boat (being out for a month due to an IT band injury, that is) ... the issue isn't whether or not you *could* do it, it's whether or not you can perform the way you want to perform. If you've done the training chances are that you could get though 26.2 miles but you need to ask yourself whether that's what you want. In my case, I had to admit that I wanted to run my first marathon when I was fullly prepared, and as a result I delayed my marathon debut for 4 months so I could train my way back into shape. As it turned out, it was the right choice for me because I ended up with a finish time that I was proud of ... and moreover, that I spent the four months of training really learning how to train independently from the Portland Fit program. I learned a lot in the process and that led to me being an AC and a coach.

That was my own route ... by the same token you may decide that you'd rather run in your original target marathon, with the benefit of running a marathon in your hometown with your friends and family here, and you're not as concerned with being in your best condition. That's valid, too.

Just make sure you know when you are recovered so that you don't reinjure yourself.