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I very much enjoyed Mr. McCelland's marathon piece. As a nine time marathoner- I ran my first at age 54 (I'm now 62), I'd like to offer him the following counsel:
Don't set your heart on a sub-3:30 your first time out, because it's just not likely to happen- unless you're in Lance Armstong shape. Just train wisely and try to run well. You're much more likely to break that barrier after you've got one under your belt.
I too, was a 20 minute 5K runner when I ran my first New York, yet I still finished a shade over 4 hours. I was embarassed and humiliated. But a year later, having "hit the wall" once, I ran a 3:19 and qualified for Boston. I wasn't in any better condition (Well, maybe I did a little more hill work). But it was mostly that I had been there before, and I was better able to handle that last six miles.
In any case, I look forward to your account of your first effort. Do write it. And good luck!
Sean O'Malley
