Flinders, I know my question is kind of vague. You answered it, pretty much. I guess I'm wondering what is easier, the volume to train for a marathon, which doesn't require a lot of high quality paces. Or a half, which has less volume but more high quality. The same goes for the race. A longer race at lower speed, or shorter speed at higher pace (somewhere in this convoluted sentence is a QOTD). 

Ami:  Sorry to hear the ITB flared up.  I'd stick with the 16 you have scheduled for next week, and then go into your taper.  There is a "Science of the Long Run" thread over in the General Running forum that is interesting if you haven't already read it; it brought some of the very experienced runners on RA out into the open to discuss the benefits/drawbacks of LRs in general.

Cbus:  I think my personal view would be that the volume is easier.  I tend not to react well to speedwork, at least in my limited experience.  Also, I only trained specifically for a half once -- last winter -- and I didn't follow a plan or do any work other than volume, so I can't speak to the type of workouts needed to ace a half (or shorter race).  I typically train for the marathon and let the residual fitness gains from that drop my other times.  But take everything I say with a grain of salt; I haven't yet completed a full marathon training plan as written (or close to it) -- I've hurt myself doing stupid, non-running things that have derailed me each time.

Docket:  Nice race!  And I hope the migraine is better!

I had 35 for the week, or thereabouts. 

Flinders, thanks for that response. I'm thinking the easy miles will be easier on me too. Strange as it sounds, a marathon might be easier to train for than a half-marathon. 

Re Hansons v Pfitz, part of the complication is that I did that last Speed workout at a goal HMP. But if I did them at GMP, and at the slower end at that, then fasted workout will be at HMP, and only 5 workouts (in Beginners), for a total of 15 miles. After that, the Strength workouts are done at 8:36 (GMP - :10). And of course the Tempos are at MP. If I did Pfitz, I'd be doing 3 workouts at HMP or faster in the first six weeks, for a total of 12 miles. The five weeks has 18 more miles at HMP. And of course there is that faster speed stuff at the end which are even faster. So as far as fast paced stuff, I'm definitely more weary of Pfitz than Hansons. As far as distance per run, again I'm more weary of Pfitz. The only advantage I see in Pfitz are the extra days off he gives you. But quite frankly I think I'll need it! But then he has these really intense GMP workouts. 18 in the first mesocycle, both within the LR. Another 12 within a 16 LR. And then that 14 within an 18 LR five weeks before goal race. Those scare me. Even though the Hansons give you regular work, I still think spreading out that work over 6 days makes it easier. Even though there are two regular workouts a week, the speeds are not as fast as Pfitz prescribes. So again, I'm thinking there is regular work but the speeds are only moderately fast. 

So, I think I'm gonna scrap the spring half. If I do run it, I'm not gonna train specifically for it. I'm gonna try to run my regular mileage and throw in a faster workout here or there, if my body can handle it. And then I'm gonna try to do Hansons Beginners for a fall race. In the meantime, I'm gonna try to get right physically. 

Docket, nice to hear you able to run a race with no albuterol. Hope that continues. Curious, whats the draw of the BF, if you have to deal with idiots? I guess the friends you have there are worth it?

Sra, also surprised that your marathoning history is so short, especially considering your marathon maniac status.

Indiana, that is an interesting thought on doing Pfitz because you think that the Hanson's plan might be too much running at faster paces. I was thinking that the 6 days of running instead of 5 and the 16 mile LR would mean shorter average runs and less likelihood of injury. Maybe that isn't the case.

Cbus, do you have an old copy of the Pfitz book?

Hope everyone is able to beat their ITBS issues!

I missed Thursdays run, did 4 yesterday and 10 today for a total of 35 miles. Hoping to be in the 40's this week.

Hey all! 

Sorry about the ITB Cbus! Hooe it clears up for a great fall marathon.

Congrats to Slymoon on his first marathon! Sorry it sucked but I'm proof that a crappy first only leads to big PR's!

no running for me after doing my LR yesterday. I'll head to CrossFit later for some rowing and easy strength. Have a great Monday all!

NND - my first marathon was on a whim April 2011. I was originally planning to do the HM and switched at the expo, figuring, why not. From that race to March 2012, I ran 4 marathons and a 50K. The maniac piece was related to a redemption race I did after the 50K. I was not happy with the result so I ran a marathon 2 weeks after it. 2 in 14 days is the first level of qualification. This year I want to do a double if possible and go from one star to four stars. Also - I run the races by myself most of the time, so it was to meet more people and have fun during the race being able to talk to other maniacs.

Spin today. Have a great day donuts.

indiana, which RR?  Slymoon?  He posted one, I think it was here (unless it's somewhere in the forums).

Cbus, no, nothing that I noticed about the Pfitz version. Indiana just mentioned that he thought that there was enough recovery between Pfitz's tougher workouts, and that he thought you might have an older version of his book. I was just curious if that was the case. Although I remember reading somewhere actually that part of the Hanson's philosophy was that some other plans did have too much rest, and as a result you might feel fresher and therefore run harder than you should at that point leading to an increase in injury risk. I think the thought there was that it takes tendons. ligaments, etc, longer to recover than you realize and as a result if you run faster than you should sooner than you should that you may hurt yourself. By keeping yourself somewhat fatigued, you would not be tempted to run harder than prescribed.