Give me some H&F training wisdom please

[mrsjthompson]

I know all I've been talking about lately is a 10-mile race this weekend, but in actuality it's a minor bump on the way to my first HM in 5 weeks.  My training plan calls for long runs of:
10 mi race
12.5 mi
4 mi tempo
14 mi
3 mi (taper)
race

I'm concerned about doing the race and the 12.5 mi back to back.  The last time I tried 2 long runs on back to back weekends I got shin splints.  I'm thinking about doing this instead:
10 mi race
6 ish
13 ish
4 mi tempo
3 taper
HM

Is that too little mileage in the last weeks?

Keep in mind that I'm super slow, so I will be "racing" the 10 miler this weekend in that I will be putting in my full effort in order to finish before daylight.  The switch between training pace and racing pace doesn't really work for me.  Also, I know I can probably do fine without the runs over 10 miles, but being new to this going the full distance will really help my confidence on race day.

[taratru]

Aren't you doing the ToT? SO JEALOUS.

Anyhoo...I'd do 7, 11, 7, 6 at a bare minimum. Doing 4 then 3 as long runs isn't really doing anything for you. I think you risk being out of the habit of long running.

[gt7301b]

I don't think there is anything wrong with taking a step back the week after the half, but I would want to do a longer run two weeks before the half. I'd probably do 8 for my long run and a tempo run during the week.

[mrsjthompson]

Oct 3, 2013 11:17:54 GMT -5 taratru said:

Aren't you doing the ToT? SO JEALOUS.

Anyhoo...I'd do 7, 11, 7, 6 at a bare minimum. Doing 4 then 3 as long runs isn't really doing anything for you. I think you risk being out of the habit of long running.

Yep!  I got roped into it when DH saw the medal.  It'll be fun as long as the rain stays away.

Thanks y'all.  Those thoughts sound a lot more sensible.  I've been following the Disney recommended Jeff Galloway plan for the HM, but the point a couple of you made about the really short mileage cutback weeks make a lot of sense, and might explain why every long run seemed like a death march.  I'll chalk it up to lessons learned and try a different plan for my next HM.