Training help

[skwcm80]

My next half is about 12 weeks away, and I'd like to train to get faster. This coming Saturday I plan to run about 8 miles, and that will be my longest run since my last half on 5/18.

Does it make sense to just go ahead and maintain my current mileage, then start a training plan closer to my race? Or should I lower my mileage and start my training plan from the beginning?

Thanks!!

[Brit]

If your base is enough to do an 8 miler right now, I would probably try to up my overall mileage some while adding in a day or two of harder running each week like fartleks or tempo runs. I would rotate long runs of 8/10/12, trying to time the last 12 so that it is the weekend before your race, then taper that last week.

If you're feeling really crazy, you might consider peaking your long runs at 14 or 15 miles. I seem to have the best half results when my long run is more than 13.1, but it can be kind of daunting to train up to 14/15 miles if you don't have to.

[gt7301b]

I'd probably use Hal Higdon's Intermediate training plan or one of Pete Pfitzinger's plans. I think they start off around 6 miles for the long run, but you could just run 8 this week instead of the 6 the plan calls for.

[skwcm80]

Thanks ladies!! I do better with a written training plan, so I'll use one of the training plans below. Brit - I do like the idea of running 14-15 miles in training, I think it will help mentally. I think I'm up for the challenge.

I can't find Pete Pftizinger's training plan online. Is it something that I need to pay for?