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I started out at 5'10" 205 (currently 175) when I started training for my first marathon and cratered with shin splints after about 4 months. Hal Higdon says you should have been running for about a year before attempting a marathon but I ignored him. Things I think I've learned since then that may help you avoid the same fate are as follows.
1) Do as much of your mileage as possible on "soft" surfaces. Dirt is softer than asphalt which is softer than concrete.
2) Don't get carried away with trying to run too fast. You should be running almost all of your mileage at a conversational pace. Try pushing the pace a bit on Wednesdays. This will help you build fitness and push you mileage total upward as the plan gets tougher.
3) Stretch your calves 3-4 times a day. People will look at you funny. When they do tell them you're training for a marathon. Then they'll really look at you funny.
4) Listen to your body. You will learn more about yourself by training for a marathon than you can imagine. Try to listen for whispers, because when your body yells at you it's usually too late.
5) Find a group to train with if you can. Most runners love to help other runners. Having someone who runs YOUR pace to run with during your long runs is priceless when you're having a bad day.
I came back the following year after my shin splint crater and completed my first marathon at age 47. I enjoyed it so much that the second marathon is complete and I'm starting to train for my third.
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