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If you were not running in the fall at your target pace for a half, and remember that most people run a marathon at a slower pace (double your half and add five to fifteen minutes), unless you have really picked up speed over the winter, be realistic and try to enjoy your first marathon. After that one is under your belt, you can have your month to recover, and then add speed work in the summer to try for a faster autumn marathon.
I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but running a 3:35 marathon is hard unless you are one of those gifted individuals who is just naturally speedy and is highly athletic. If that was your background, you likely wouldn't have just taken up running in your fifties. If I'm wrong, feel free to ignore the advice.
I think you will find lots of us in this site are focused on the long haul, not just is the sense of running long distances, but also planning to run for a long time. Pushing yourself too hard, too early is a good recipe for flaming out.
From experience, as you get more experienced (read older), qualifying for Boston becomes easier. First you have the experience to do the training without too high a likelihood of injury. Second, every five years of age brings a new and slower standard. For some of us, that is necessary.
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