Running Maintenance Plan

natalie412

Trying to come up with a training plan for after my HM in April. I will get in a couple more 13+ mile long runs before then, but afterwards I want to cut back to 8-10 mile long runs, with an occasional 13-15 mile run - maybe once a month. A shorter weekend run (5-6 miles) also every 4-6 weeks. Is that reasonable? I usually run 25-30 miles per week total - mostly 30.

My main question is, is it reasonable to do a 13-15 mile run once a month or so, with all my other long runs being no more than 10 miles. I want to stay in HM shape without taking up quite so much time and energy every weekend.

TheBrolympus

I have the same question. My half is also in April and my next one will not be until August (Hottest Half). Can I get away with one 10+ run a month?

CarsonRuns

Trying to come up with a training plan for after my HM in April. I will get in a couple more 13+ mile long runs before then, but afterwards I want to cut back to 8-10 mile long runs, with an occasional 13-15 mile run - maybe once a month. A shorter weekend run (5-6 miles) also every 4-6 weeks. Is that reasonable? I usually run 25-30 miles per week total - mostly 30.

My main question is, is it reasonable to do a 13-15 mile run once a month or so, with all my other long runs being no more than 10 miles. I want to stay in HM shape without taking up quite so much time and energy every weekend.

Yes, it's very reasonable. I see no issue with doing three 10 and one 13 to 15 mile run every month for your long runs.

CarsonRuns

I have the same question. My half is also in April and my next one will not be until August (Hottest Half). Can I get away with one 10+ run a month?

One 10 miler per month? I wouldn't suggest it. There are physical adaptations that take place on the long runs (runs that last 90 minutes or more) that are an essential part of developing and/or maintaining aerobic fitness. I would try for at least 3 of these per month.

natalie412

Trying to come up with a training plan for after my HM in April. I will get in a couple more 13+ mile long runs before then, but afterwards I want to cut back to 8-10 mile long runs, with an occasional 13-15 mile run - maybe once a month. A shorter weekend run (5-6 miles) also every 4-6 weeks. Is that reasonable? I usually run 25-30 miles per week total - mostly 30.

My main question is, is it reasonable to do a 13-15 mile run once a month or so, with all my other long runs being no more than 10 miles. I want to stay in HM shape without taking up quite so much time and energy every weekend.

Yes, it's very reasonable. I see no issue with doing three 10 and one 13 to 15 mile run every month for your long runs.

Thanks - I thought it was. I will probably throw a lower mileage week in occasionally too - I find that really freshens up my legs! Now that I am used to 13+ mile runs, I think I can throw one in once a month - jumping from around 10 to 14 miles or so shouldn't be a problem as long as it is a really easy pace. I will probably do a them a little more frequently before my fall half.

CarsonRuns

I try to stay in half marathon shape year round. This means that my long runs typically range from 10 to 16 miles during base training phase. Once you've done the mileage, you can do it again. You don't really need to build back into it as long as you are maintaining that fitness.

alanlmarshall

I have the same question. My half is also in April and my next one will not be until August (Hottest Half). Can I get away with one 10+ run a month?

One 10 miler per month? I wouldn't suggest it. There are physical adaptations that take place on the long runs (runs that last 90 minutes or more) that are an essential part of developing and/or maintaining aerobic fitness. I would try for at least 3 of these per month.

Agreed. After a week or so of recovery (easy runs, reduce mileage), you should start training for August.

TheBrolympus

I have the same question. My half is also in April and my next one will not be until August (Hottest Half). Can I get away with one 10+ run a month?

One 10 miler per month? I wouldn't suggest it. There are physical adaptations that take place on the long runs (runs that last 90 minutes or more) that are an essential part of developing and/or maintaining aerobic fitness. I would try for at least 3 of these per month.

Sorry, what I meant was doing one over 10 mile run (12 to 14 miles) and then doing the rest of my long runs around 10 miles.
The runs over 10 miles have not been fun for me lately and I am worried about burning out on it. So I was going to take a little break after the next half and recharge a little, but I do NOT want to lose any of the fitness that I have worked very hard to build.

KellyRUNS2Bthinner

I think if this is the plan you want to follow do it. I run half marathons in spring and fall and I never run anything more than 10 miles except when I am racing. I know my body is capable. Only you know what your body is capable of. Seems like to put a lot of thought into this before you posted....I say go with your gut! NOTE I also swim, cycle and xo other forms of cardio but once you have run a half you KNOW what you need to do. I race half marathons at full speed and NO I don't follow a training guide I just do whatever I feel like doing that day- but I do, Do cardio daily....just not always running