I've registered for the Foot Traffic Flat marathon in Portland on July 4, 2014. I ran my first marathon in 2010, second in 2011, third in 2012, fourth in 2013, you get the pattern. So this July I embark on my fifth, full marathon. The best part of this race, other than the fact that it's supposed to be completely flat, is the fact that I'm probably going to run it with little to no training. You heard me. I'll probably knock out a 20-miler once or twice before the race, just to make sure I can make it that far without collapsing, but this race will be run on experience and will alone.

I'm not forgoing training intentionally -- I've just run out of time to run 40+ miles a week. I can usually squeeze in 20.

You won't find much online with regards to running a marathon without training. Actually, what you do find is littered with angry comments. I wouldn't recommend running your first marathon with no training, but after you've gotten through the experience of one, you know what to expect, you anticipate the pain, and you understand the mental blocks. I've done 4.

So I'll report back on how it goes, I certainly won't qualify for the Boston Marathon, but I hope to finish, hope to maintain my record of one marathon a year, and hope to get through it without too much misery. Here I go!