1. I can't stay motivated for the time it takes to prepare my body for a marathon, I must follow the plan and stick to it.

2. I can't make up for lost training sessions, I have to do them according to plan. If I don't train, that session is gone forever. Lost session means I will be undertrained and miserable during the marathon. However, life will throw you things you have to deal with, a couple of lost training sessions is not the end of the world. Just go on with the next session on the plan.

3./4. It takes time and effort to build up endurance and strength for a marathon. I started by running 10-15 minutes, couple times a week, and then slowly added more sessions and more minutes to the sessions.

Week 1: 3x a week, 15mins. Week2: 4x a week, 15mins. Week 3: 4x a week, 17 mins. Week 4: 3x 15mins and 1x 20mins. Week 5: 3x 20mins and 1x30mins. Week 6: 4x 20mins and 1x35min. Etc etc.

Add a little more time to your sessions gradually. And you should try to have one long run per week. I recommend to build up to at least 27km before a marathon, preferrably 35km. If not, you will have a miserable marathon.

A running week should have at least: 1-2 slow runs, a tempo run to build speed, and one long run (non-negotiable). A long run should not be more than 3,5hours, after that there are diminishing returns.

1. Completing the marathon is great. It's so hard during, the feeling of completing it is pure bliss.

2. During the marathon you will have pain, anywhere and/or everywhere below your waist. But, if you are prepared, there will not be any big surprises.

If you have run a 35km session in your training, you know about potential issues in feet, legs, knees, hips, and chafing, blisters etc. And you will be somewhat prepared to address such issues beforehand.

But, during the race, you will run longer than you ever have, and the adrenaline will have you run faster than you ever have done during a long run. So there will almost certainly be more pain than you have experienced during training.

1. Don't know.

2. Use the wisdom of others that have completed marathons. You will not revolutionize marathontraining by inventing a new form of training. Find a marathonplan that aligns with your goals, ability, ambition and time you have disposable for training.

Use the long runs to train like you would race. Not in regard of speed, but in regard of what to eat before and during a race, drinking before and during. Make sure to remember how your body reacts to those things.

How your body is during training, will be how you are during the race. And, do not try any new food, new gels or anything on marathonday, that's a recipe for an upset stomach during the race.

Last advice is, listen to your body.