Sticking To The Plan

When I do a lot of halfs marathons, I don't have time to properly train for them. I get caught in constant taper and recovery modes.  I made the hard decision to scratch the next half on my schedule to give myself 5 solid weeks of training for Route 66.  Granted, 5 weeks is probably not enough time to make much difference but I've got to try.  I desperately want to beat my time from last year....no actually, I'd like to crush it.

I've always followed a plan but it was just a general schedule stored in my head.  And let me tell you, it's crowded in there.  {Talk about hoarding!}  Never have I printed a plan and checked off the daily requirements.  I'm completely guilty of falling into the trap of running the same speed.  I would slow down a little on my long runs but every other run was about the same.

In an attempt to change it up, I officially began doing speed work in June - 600 meter repeats. I have a section of road in my neighborhood (without a hill...which is hard to find) that just happens to be that length.  I've been doing this workout every Wednesday unless I was tapering or recovering from a half.  Until recently, it's been too hot and humid to know if this has helped my speed at all.  However, I did shave 15 seconds off a recent 5k from my last year's time.  So - maybe a little improvement, but not much.

I want to crush my time at this half!

The plan I'm following now (the final 5 weeks of it) has me working up to ten 400 meter repeats.  OK, so I shortened my speed work distance. When the plan says easy, I run easy. When it says race pace I push it to race pace.  When it says rest, I rest.  I found I like checking the boxes.  It's one less thing to think about.  Just do what you're supposed to do today.  What a relief!

My only variation in the plan will be this weekend.  It calls for rest on Saturday and a 15k race on Sunday (we don't have many 15ks around here!).  I'm running my favorite 10k on Saturday. But, I'm in a quandry about what to do.  Do I run hard for 3 extra miles after I finish the 10k and rest on Sunday?  Or, do I just run some easy miles on Sunday?   If so, how many?

What would YOU do?  I'd love to hear your suggestions!