It can be difficult to determine a good marathon training schedule and then stick to it. I know all too well the temptations that can lead us astray. It's that temptation to eat that entire chocolate cake in one sitting. And then there's the all-too-powerful temptation to spend a whole Saturday in your bed, only getting up when you have to go to the bathroom.

Having learned through experience, I am in a position to give you some advice on what NOT to do that will help you stick with your schedule. It's very important to remember a few things after you've determined your marathon training schedule.

- You can't cheat by running super fast for three minutes instead of jogging for thirty minutes. If jogging for thirty minutes is outlined on your schedule, then you actually need to do it.

- Get creative and involve your family when you can't find the motivation to run every weekend for three months. Here's what I did. My husband dangled a snickers bar out the window of the car while he drove three feet in front of me.

- When you break in your jogging shoes for the marathon, that means putting them on and running with them. Please put away the meat mallet now.

- A bottle of Jack Daniels is not a 'running partner'. Choose a human as your running partner.

- No, you do not tape your marathon training schedule to your read end in order to stick with it.

- While you're jogging those three miles back home, resist the temptation to hitchhike.

- Taking naps in ditches off the side of the road isn't just a bad idea, and it's really unsanitary.

Here's another trick for finding the motivation you need to stick with your running training schedule: Imagine the faces of your competitors when you finish first place. Visualize them crying, howling, and roaring as you use false modesty although all the while you're thinking, "No autographs please, just gaze upon the champion!" Good Luck with your marathon!