ETA to marathon?

Question
hey,

how are you?  i had a question about training time for a marathon - is 5 months enough? first, let me tell you where i stand in running.  i like to run for the most part :) and i love to race.  my most recent race was a 10km race this past june and i did a pb at 39:38 and a 1/2 marathon past may at 1:35:00.
i tried to do the marathon this year so i started training in january 5 times a week coming off my first 1/2 marathon 3 months before in october.  i got foot injuries from lack of arches i think but it might've been the large mileage.  i could never finish a 30km run.  well, i never tried.  i thought i would have time and then i got injured.  
the biggest thing is i could never get back into it after taking like 2 weeks off training to heal.  my motivation just sank.  the race was late may.  i bumped down the 1/2 instead and even still i hardly trained.

so, i want to conquer this marathon business may 2005 (the same race).  i haven't ran much since june, just off and on to keep my abilities stable.  

my current goal is this.  i weight train till xmas (because i want more upper body strength, independant of this running business) and run/swim 1-2 times a week.  than after xmas, just like last year, i start my training program and weight train 1-2 times a week specifically for running.  is 5 months enough?  what about 4 (the net amt of time due to missed runs and stuff)?  how can i get some motivation surge if i start to lose it and go crazy?

oh, i should let you know that i am aiming for 3:15:00.  i did my 1/2 last year at 1:28:04.

thanks a lot, i know it's a lot to read so don't worry about a speedy reply,
julian

Answer
dear julian
   Four to five months is plenty of time to train properly and your times in the 10k and half marathon indicate to me a 3.15 is doable with the proper training.
As far as motivation goes.If the end result benifit is strong enough it should not be a problem.Perhaps your why you want to run one is not strong enough and many times people don"t train properly and do get injured or just lack the desire to do what has to be done over the three to five months period.Training to run a marathon is hard discplind work and from time to time your going to struggle.One of the greatest motivaters is hiring a qualified coach to give you support,,structure..accountabilty and control to insure you get to the start in may.I know this is a plug but i have been doing this for a long time and it is the best insurance.I do phone coaching all over the country and parts of the world and i would be happy to discuss it with you if you like.Just go to my web site for contact info.
Hope this helps you julian.

The very best to you
John
albuquerque new mexico
www.rentacoachinternational.com