Question for 1/2 marathoners or experienced runners

It looks like you are running 3 times per week, there are several training programs that follow that with cross training on the other days which you already do. I've done 2 fulls and 7 1/2s and I've trained hard for some and not so hard for others. I finished all of them but some with better times. Getting your long runs in is very important and it sounds like you are well on your way. Runnersworld.com has a free Smartcoach marathon training plan that lets you pick which intensity you want to train at and gives you a program based on several factors. It's free so you might want to check it out. Good luck in Feb!

google hal higdon and pull up his 1/2 marathon schedule -
if anything do the long runs
you dont want to cut yourself short on endurance.
the long runs will help you to set a comfortable pace and give you insight into how your body reacts at certain places, when you need nourishment, water intake, and how to just settle in and set your pace.

I have done a full and 3 halves - i have learned about settling in and what happens at mile 9 or mile 17- when you have to dig a little deeeper - plus you will know that you can do it and wont doubt yourself when you feel tired:)
Good luck!!!!

I run 3-4 times per week as well, I just change up my intensity and make sure to get one long run in every week. There are some great beginner plans out there too, check out runnersworld.com too. I'd suggest maybe switching out one or two of your weight training days for cardio cross training though, so you'd still have 3 days of weights but build a little more endurance.

I finished 5 Half marathons and 1 full Marathon. I always did some cross training but for the Marathon and the last few half marathons I ran only two days a week. I was doing heavy squats and found that I just couldn't do much more and still have my quads recovered by Sunday for the Longer runs....So my runs were usually Tuesday or Wednesday, and Sunday. I personally tended to build up my making use of the treadmill until I could pretty easily run 10k which wasn't tough for me. Then I would convert to an outdoor runner. By this time I was in better shape before putting my feet through the pounding of concrete.

From that point, distance was as simply as adding a mile or a few kilometers every Sunday. I tried running both on my own and in groups. The marathon I trained by myself. The half marathons I joined training groups. Groups can be terrific. Only problem I ever had was if I found myself befriended by an awkward runner, my mind would want to change my stride to mimic theirs if they chose to run alongside me and it would throw off my concentration.

Another terrific way to train is by running inside of a pool. A lady who placed third in my marathon had injured herself with a case of plantar (I got plantar myself later on....its awful..) In order for her to be able to train for this run she trained entirely within a pool. She said it made her stronger.