We've got quite a lot in common, John, and I can assure it can be done.
I was about 10 pounds heavier than you and a year older when I found myself in exasctly the same position as you -- getting an entry for the FLM when I didn't expect to, and being unprepared for it.
The good news is that the calendar on Planet Sweder isn't quite the same as yours or mine. It's why he runs faster than most of us. He thinks he has less time than there really is. There are just under 20 weeks to go till the race, which is enough time.
What you need to do is follow a plan. As mentioned, the one I used was the Hal Higdon 18 week Novice Schedule. Go to
http://www.halhigdon.com and read about it, and download it. Liek all marathon training plans, it starts gently and works its way up.
It recommends 4 runs per week plus the odd bit of 'cross training' which could be a bike ride or a swim. Or in my case, a walk to the pub -- though I don't recommend too much of that.
Most of the weekday runs are just 3 or 4 miles though the Wednesday one does get longer over the 18 weeks, ending up at 10 miles 3 weeks from the marathon. The really important ones are the weekend long runs. You start at 6 miles the first week, and gradually build up but with a 'stepback' week every 2 or 3 to help recovery. Over the period you build up to a 20 miler.
20 miles sounds totally impossible to a newbie, but I can assure you it can be done. Hundreds of thousands of new runners have followed these training schedules and made it round.
Sweder's right about the weight thing. Don't obsess about it. Just get into a regular running routine and the pounds will slide off. A mile of running, regardless of how fast, will use up about 100-150 calories depending on your weight. Don't lose weight in order to run; just run, and it will go.
So you've got nearly 2 weeks to go till the 18 weeks start. That's good. It means you have 2 weeks to get back a bit of fitness. A 3 mile jog every day or two over the next 2 weeks will get you feeling ready to go for the 18 week plan.
There's loads of running accessories and bits of equipment you can buy but there's only one vital thing, and that's a decent pair of shoes. Don't go to JJB Sports, go to a proper running store like Sweatshop or your local equivalent, and ask for advice. Most running shops have a footscan machine that will tell you what kind of shoes will suit you best.
I envy you. Training for my first marathon was one of the best things I ever did. I couldn't believe how those miles started building up, even though I started off being barely able to jog 3 miles. If you go to
http://www.runningcommentary.net and look up 2001, you'll find my entire London training diary which may help convince you that it can be done.
In the end, I plodded round London in something over five and a half hours, but I still regard it as a great personal achievement. And that's what it's all about. It's a personal challenge. The only opponents you have in this adventure are your own fear and anxiety and doubt. Defeat those, and you'll feel like a world champion next April.
Good luck, and keep us posted.
