Hi, I'm 36 and started running 6 months ago, whilst overweight (5"11' and 15 stone 6lbs / 1.80m / 98kg) as I used to be a lot fitter in my younger days and thought I could still do it, I quickly found that my fitness was appalling and vowed to improve. I ran my first 10k within 5 weeks of starting training, finishing in 59:07 and was completely and utterly shattered. 4 and a half months later, I have now lost around 2 stone / 12kg, so still a bit overweight and improved my 10k to sub 52mins. My 5k has gone from 29:08 to sub 24mins. Last weekend I ran my first half marathon, a very hilly Bedford half in 2:02:28, which but for the hills, I am quite sure I could have got under 2hrs. Generally I am only running twice a week, one long steady run (6-9 miles) and a fast 3-4 miler. I find it hard to run more frequently as I was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease in my knee and I'm in a bit of pain after running and it takes a few days for this to go down. I haven't really changed my diet since starting running, although I do have a passion for water now, so am drinking at least 3 litres a day. I plan to change my diet from 1st Jan. My main question is given my current progress, I am wondering what I could achieve for my first ever Marathon, I would love to be sub 4hrs, but do not know if this is realistic given my progress so far. Any thoughts you can share would be appreciated. John | 
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