I haven't used the Higdon plans, but for myself I generally cut back on the long run and leave the rest of the week alone unless life gets in the way and I need to eliminate different workouts (which happens probably 1/3 of the time.) I've been doing a lot of slower running for my general easy pace, though, so I haven't felt the need to cut back as much as I used to.

Is there any reason for my concern? Do you think with it being my first marathon it might be better to modify the plan so that cut-back are really that?

My general feeling is that if I am going to use a plan, then I'd follow it unless I found a problem with it. There is nothing wrong with anticipating problems and being proactive about changing the plan, just be aware that if you make changes then you aren't following the original plan and thus you can't really expect the same results. That may be a good thing (not getting injured) but then again it may not be (not being in as good of shape). Just a little food for thought.

My marathon schedule has cut-backs on long runs but total mileage barely changes. I was considering making cut-back weeks actually cut-back weeks in total mileage not just long runs. What are your thoughts on that? (my plan is HH Int. 2)

So IIRC the HH Int 2 plan peaks at about 55 mpw. This is more in one week than you normally run in one month. Are you ready for that? Are you sure you wouldn't be better served with the Higdon Novice plan or maybe HH Int 1? In my mind, you would do better with a plan that is more achievable from the start and then you can add a run here and there or add a mile to certain runs.

It's better to be a bit undertrained than at all overtrained. Just sayin'...

I guess my concern is that I am really good at adjusting back if I need to but not adjusting forward. Does that make sense? But I guess then I always risk running into discouragement...

I hear you. I ran my first marathon with a plan that was way over my head. While I survived somehow - and missed quite a few workouts, I gotta say I felt overwhelmed - all the time. If I could do it over again, I would have picked a plan more suited to my current abilities. To me a lot of distance training is mental. When you "only" run 8 when the plan says 10, you lose out on some of that "YEAH!" feeling from knocking out a good workout. That "YEAH" feeling is part of what lets you knock out the next one with a good mental attitude instead of slogging through.

When you "only" run 8 when the plan says 10, you lose out on some of that "YEAH!" feeling from knocking out a good workout. That "YEAH" feeling is part of what lets you knock out the next one with a good mental attitude instead of slogging through.

hmm I've never looked at it like that before, but I wonder if that's where some of my mental issues come from because you are right when I don't make it my next one seems daunting... hmm... Amores - I contemplated making my own plan. ok so I relooked at the beginner and int. plans for him. I think I went for int. based on 2 things: 1) I'd like to have 5 days of distance instead of 4. I run everyday and the off days in the schedule would be 1-2 mile recovery runs. But instead of 3 of those a week i'd like only 2. 2) I'd like to do at least 2-20 mile runs. Ok so I took the beginner 2. and added an extra day of running. With all the runs progressing from 3-6 miles. I adjusted the long runs to start at 10mi because that's what I will be doing the next two weeks. And then I took the 19 and bumped it to 20 to give me 2-20 milers. And with adding in my recovery miles it would make my peak 45. Does a peak of 45 sound more reasonable? When I compare what I had and what I have now it looks more realistic to my current ability. (I wish we had a graphing feature so I would show you.) Man I'm really glad I asked about this because I was nervous that the schedule would overwhelm me!

Yeah. Especially since i'm currently only in the low 20's - it might be smarter to go lowers as was mentioned earlier. I just worry about it being enough.