Fall Plans?

I am considering some potential plans for the Fall season. I am seriously thinking about doing the Marine Corps Marathon for the 2nd time and then following that up by running Harrisburg two weeks later. The Hands On House Half Marathon in early October would probably serve as a warm-up/training run for both. The HOH Half is the week of the first 20-miler so that would require running seven miles prior to the race. That doesn't sound too fun, but at least miles 8 - 20 of my training run would be supported.

I would be using the three day per week FIRST training that I used back in 2005. I had good success with that program and that would be the best way for me to train considering my work and travel schedule. I would do my speed workouts on Monday mornings prior to returning to FW or Monday evening at work over my lunch. I would then do my tempo run before work on one day during the week and do my long runs on Saturdays. It's going to be tough getting the workouts in with working 2nd shift, driving back and forth and staying in FW all week, but marathon training is never easy.

I guess that I just need to decide whether or not I really want to put in the time and effort and if my commitment level is there because if I start training this time, I am going the distance (barring injury of course). I am not going to just back out again. I'm not a quitter. In the three years since I ran my last marathon, I've had quite a few false starts where I was in the middle of training and then decided to bag it. I had my reasons each time that happened and I don't regret the decisions that I made, but I don't want to repeat the same scenario again.

The HOH Half is Saturday, October 3rd; the MCM is Sunday, October 25th and the Harrisburg Marathon is Sunday, November 8th. That would make for a busy fall, but I've done it before and with great success. The question is, will being four years older have an impact on my potential to succeed? I know that I'm obviously not getting any younger and I am not as resilient as I once was, but I am still fit and strong and I think that I can still handle the training. I just need to be disciplined and committed. Those are the keys to success.