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You can tell from the other threads that when to start training is a controversial subject on these boards. We have frequent posters here who are fast, young, and have been to Boston. None of these attributes describes me.
My opinion is that you should start increasing your mileage immediately, using the injury-free rule of no more than a 10%/week increase. The more miles that you can put in, and the more long runs that you can do, the better you will perform in your initial marathon. Just be aware that no matter how trained you are and no matter how well you do this year, you will do better in 2002 due to the experience and training that you have gained this year.
Do consider North's advice to enter races. I know in my case that I have a hard time staying motivated if I don't have an upcoming event. Summer is sort of boring, because most races are short 5k and 10k events. But seek out some 15k, 10m, and 13.1m races in the fall. Such events are fun, and also teach lessons about registration, packet pickup, waking up in the morning, parking, clothing, hydration, pacing, smiling at photographers, final kicks, and finish lines.
Taking the other side of the argument, there would be nothing wrong about continuing your current program of 30 mpw. You would then start your marathon training in late summer, peaking and tapering just before your marathon. The result will be the same as above: you will gain training and experience that will benefit you mostly in 2002.
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