You should be able to comfortably run distances between 3 and 6 miles. Realistically, not everybody begins from this base. Particularly in the midst of this second marathon boom, those of us connected with the CARA program recognize that people are going to become inspired to run their first marathons with less preparation. The key to this and any marathon training program is the long runs on weekends, which build from 6 miles in Week 18 to 20 miles in the climactic Week 4. You can skip an occasional workout, or juggle the schedule depending on other commitments, but do not cheat on the long runs.
Rest is an important component of any training program.
As the weekend mileage builds, the weekday mileage also builds. Add up the numbers, and you'll see that you run roughly the same mileage during the week as you do during long runs on the weekends. Midweek workouts on Wednesdays build from 3 to 10 miles. Each represents a slight increase in difficulty, a transition between the Novice schedules discussed above and the Advanced schedules below. Once you have completed your first marathon using the Novice program, and you would like to improve on your Personal Record, then is the time to consider one of these programs, or the Advanced program.