AM's marathon training phases

I have noticed that marathon training tends to follow several phases:

1. Weeks 1-4 - "I am so slow. But, my body is ready and I am excited"
These are the weeks when I feel the most excited about training. I strive on discipline and long terms goals, and the training structure of a marathon grounds me. Legs feel fresh daily. At the same time, it feels like I am going to bust a lung in every single speed and tempo run, and I am going to die of boredom running long. It's hard to imagine that a month before I was so much faster...

2. Weeks 4-8 - "I am still slow. But, my body is still ready and I am still excited...1/2 of the time"
It still feels hard to hit my target paces. I puke at the track. I start to worry that the MP I set might be a bit out of my reach. I push the thoughts out of my mind and plug along. I hang onto the one or two workouts that go very well and hope. I learn to expect puking. I make friends with myself during the long runs, and we start to get along fine.

3. Weeks 8-12 - " I am faster, my body is still strong..mostly, and I am excited....mostly.
Hitting target paces becomes easier. MP miles become comfortable. The body is holding up, recovering well. A twinge of pain here and there, but nothing too bad. I start to believe that I may be able to hold MP for the entire 26.2 miles, and that is exciting. At the same time, I am getting a little bored. Seems like I am getting little return for what I put in...

4. Weeks 12-14 - " I can go even faster. I am confident. I like to suffer. But, my body starts to complain"
This is the most annoying part of training for me. I am faster. My speed becomes addictive. I hunger training hard. I have the confidence, motivation and excitement. But, I need to restrain myself because of the twinges of pain that start to make their appearance, and because of the slower recovery after tough runs. I think back at the begining of training, where I would have to push so hard to hit my target paces, and I miss that feeling. Here is where I make deals with myself and the powers above with regard to staying healthy.

5. Weeks 14-16 - " Phew, taper. I made it. But, I am going NUTS: phantom pains, withdrawal anxiety, doubts"
This is where I need to keep busy. I get super productive with work. I make deals with myself about how much time I get to spend obsessing about the race, checking out the race course, etc. I start doing shorter but more intense cross training intervals, searching desperately for an endorphin kick. I accept all the negative doubting thoughts as "not reality", and try to replace them with positive ones, even though I don't believe the positive at the moment.

6. Race day - "I am so excited, I just can't hide it. I am about to lose control and I think I like it" (POinted Sisters)
By the time race day comes, I can barely hold my excitement. I feel slow, but I don't even care anymore. I just want to run. Can we get started, NOW? This feeling holds on until mile 19. Then, you all know what happens.

7. Post marathon - " I am sore. I am a rock star - I ran a marathon. I can do anything"
Post marathon I am exhausted but can't sleep. In fact, I can't stop talking (and I am actually shy). I have too much psychic energy. My family falls asleep exhausted while I stay up writing the race report.

8. The week post marathon - " There is NO WAY I can make it one week without running. I am tired. I am hungry. Life sucks"
In a matter of hours I go from megalomania to depression. I feel somehow lost. Here is where I have to have something prepared ahead of time, to throw myself into - a new project, a new book, a trip, a new training plan/marathon on the horizon. Cross training helps a lot, and eventually my mood normalizes.

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