Changing the Schedule

QUESTION: I'm using your Intermediate 2 training program to prepare for a marathon. I just finished week 7. Without realizing what I was doing, I registered for the Manhattan Half Marathon (coming up Saturday). I'm at a loss as to how to modify the program so I can run the race and still not compromise my training. My sources of confusion: 1) The race is on a Saturday, so instead of running 8 miles, I'll be running 13 miles. 2) That means I probably can't (and shouldn't) run the scheduled 17 miles on Sunday. Does it make sense to swap this week for the next? Or should I just run 12 miles on Sunday after the Saturday race so I can maintain the weekly mileage?

HAL’S ANSWER: It makes the most sense to plan these changes in advance, meaning you can easily anticipate that you would swap Week 8 with Week 9 in my program. The latter is a week when I suggest a half marathon race. But please notice that I said “suggest.” You will get the most benefit from my programs if you follow them reasonably closely—but that doesn’t prevent you from making changes, even last minute. So, yes, run your race on Saturday and follow up the next day with some easy running, or maybe a day of rest if you feel fatigued or suffer too much muscle soreness. Then the following week get back on schedule with that long run at the end of the week.

Hal uses TrainingPeaks to power his interactive marathon and half marathon training plans. Check out more of Hal's training plans here or on his website. 

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