Hello. I could really do with some advice in negotiating training schedules. I am a slow runner but I have a fair amount of stamina. My PB for a half-marathon is currently 2:07 and I am aiming for sub-4:30 at next year's London Marathon. My concern is this: all the marathon schedules seem to advise not very long, long runs, and a fairly conservative weekly mileage, certainly to start with. I regularly run (slowly, obviously) around 13-15 miles on a Sunday without much problem, just because I want to, and shorter, faster runs before work during the week. All the 16-week schedules I have seen recommend much shorter long runs (e.g. the RW Ultimate Schedule for sub-4:30 says only 6 miles in the first week). I am worried that if I follow a training schedule to the letter, I will lose the ability to run long and then I will stuff up the marathon. Should I add on the extra miles anyway to keep my stamina and momentum up? Or, by running fewer miles, will I actually recover better (I am over 50 but in good health) and therefore be able to run each session better? Any constructive advice really appreciated. (And sorry if someone has already asked this and been answered, and I missed it.)
