Half Marathon Training Plan Question

[bunnyfoo]

Hi everyone!

There are a lot of training plans out there and they all vary in length. I've been using the Hal Higdon plan (intermediate) which is 12 weeks but noticed that some plans are as short as 8 weeks and as long as 17 weeks.

Just wondering what I should use for my next 1/2 at the end of September. Is there any advantage/disadvantage in going with a shorter or longer plan?

TIA

 

[Creativebeth]

Vicky: I usually go with what I am up to with long runs. If the training plan takes me back to far, I go with a shorter one. I try to stay in 1/2 marathon shape all the time. After one, I will back off the long run a little, but then build up again. My LR right now is only 8 miles, but I am running every day. On the whole, I try to maintain the mileage to at least 7 or 8, and when the time is coming closer to my 1/2 I will ramp it up to 10-12 miles LR.

I don't really follow a plan anymore specifically. I am running at least 5 to 6 1/2 marathons a year (mostly August through December) and I already completed 2 this year.

I am going to ramp it up for the Philly Distance run this year, since I picked that one to PR. It's actually the 3 rd one I ran, in 2006, and my current PR.

I guess it also depends on your pace too. I have to admit, I am slow!

Beth

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

My $.02:
I'd say if you are doing well with Higdon, stick with it. I use Bingham and that is a gentler on me than Higdon.

As Beth said, don't go back to the beginning though. Pick up in the plan where you are with your maintenance mileage.

Plan your calendar as you usually would and fit yourself in as the calendar mileage increases from where you are at maintenance level and move upward as the calendar suggests. Hmmmm Did that make any sense?

 

[bunnyfoo]

Thanks ladies!

Beth - That's awesome! I had no idea you ran so many races a year! You go girl! I've just only finished my second half for the year I'm slow too ... maybe once I drop some of this extra weight.

Lily - I took the week off from running. Is it true that you're suppose to take a day off for every mile that you've run? The LR for week 2 on Higdon's plan is 6 miles. Which is what I'm most comfortable running. I guess I won't be skipping too many weeks