Training for next 13.1

RoyalMoose11

So I just finished a half marathon and have my next one set for May 25. Should I go back to low milage and build up again like before or should I stay training at longer distances and keep my conditioning high? Any suggestions?

meshashesha2012

it doesnt make sense to basically start from scratch. if you did that how would you ever get better?

i think many people who run longer distance races split their training sessions up into a mix of longer sessions, short sessions and medium distances

charming12u

I ramp down some ( so my long runs are 7-8 miles) until I need to start up increasing the miles for the next one. My body thanks me for the slight decrease!

handyrunner

I ramp down some ( so my long runs are 7-8 miles) until I need to start up increasing the miles for the next one. My body thanks me for the slight decrease!

this

I generally cut back a week or two..but it also depends on my plan

RoyalMoose11

Asics makes a great app for training plans and I went from 5K to 13.1 with it. But now it has me starting low again and I wasn't a fan.

My wheelhouse is 6.5 miles. I love that distance and feel really comfortable there.

rybo

Other than maybe backing of a week to recover there us no reason (unless you are injured) to drop your mileage down. Hold steady where you are and you will be far better prepared.

RunnerElizabeth

So in the 8 weeks before a race, I increase my mileage. Between races further out I run my base mileage, five 3-mile runs and 1 10 mile long run. Then i increase mileage so i get up to 16 miles, run the race and go back to my base of 25 if i don't have another race for more than 2 months. Works for me.

SonicDeathMonkey80

I would see no sense in backing your volume down, unless you are ramping up your intensity. When I introduced speedwork last month, I lowered my volume to help prevent overuse injuries and slowly built it back up again.

RoyalMoose11

I'm hoping to keep my conditioning high (doing another half in May with goals of a full marathon in October) and going faster in the May 13.1. I did my last 13.1 in 2:17:53 so I'd like to cut that down while staying at a high level of conditioning so I can transition into marathon training next.

DangerJim71

Google Hal Higdon. He has created a bunch of training plans for different goals and distances and is considered a guru by many. I've had great success with his plans.

I would also suggest that if you really want to improve you might also consider incorporating some cycling and swimming into your plan.

RoyalMoose11

I run three days a week and swim three days a week. It's helped tremendously for my breathing and conditioning for sure. Started running in June and added swimming in September and loved the pairing.

PeteWhoLikesToRunAlot

Are you comfortable staying at your current mileage? Sonic has it right - I'd say stay where you are. Or if you want to add speed work, go for it and maybe back down a bit, or at least make some of your runs easier.

RoyalMoose11

I felt fine after my 13.1 to be honest. I'd rather not go lower so I think I just need to figure out a plan for following over the next few months. If I'm running three days a week figuring out what those distances should be, so to speak.

davemunger

Take two weeks to recover, doing easy runs -- no speed work. Then you can absolutely go straight into training mode. Look for an "intermediate" plan rather than a beginning one. Hal Higdon has good ones. My favorite is the Daniels Running Formula (you need to buy the book).