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Thanks for the advice. 

I've already got custom made orthotics and am very cautious about the type of shoe i use. Always go for stability and check them out with a video gait analysis before buying. I have a very good running shop locally who do this for me.

 I have also introduced some cycling into my training routine and also moved my interval session onto the track as this is softer than the road.

 As for training, I currently race a majority of 10k's, but am wanting to build the milage for the autumn when i normally move up to 10 milers and 1/2 marathons. I'm currently doing about 20 miles per week, but normally build up to about 30 over a number of weeks for the longer races.

I'm not sure that a 10 - 15 mile treadmill session will do much for my sanity, even with changing pace and elevation throughout.

I've also heard that you don't use your calf muscles as much when running on a treadmill, so was wondering about any impact when going back onto the road.

I have suffered from stress fractures in either leg over tha past year and am now running again.

I've now changed my training so about 60 - 70 % is done on a treadmill to soften the blow to my shins.(Boring as boring gets!)

Does anyone know if this is a practical way to keep on running and whether I can continue to do long sessions  (1hr +) like this?

I do a fair bit of XC and off-road racing and normally use spikes or adidas swoop depending upon the terrain i.e. several courses have road / gravel/ rocky path sections where spikes are no use.

 The problem i have with the adidas swoop is that they don't provide me with the level of grip that i need when heading downhill or round corners, and I have even fallen on a couple of occassions. (Think Bambi on ice!)

 What i need is a shoe in which i can use short spikes (6mm) combined with a good set of studs/blades. My current XC spikes (Asics) dont provide the required level of grip in the tread without decent spikes.

Basically i want to use spikes, but don't want to bugger them up when hitting the road / rocky path sections of the courses.

 Has anyone tried this sort of thing or does anyone currently use the adidas neptune as i was thinking of trying them.

It all depends on your training schedule and the milage you do leading up to them.

There are some very good half marathon training schedules on the forums and i'd say 8-12 weeks is about right, but again this will depend on how often and far you run to start with.

I would advise that you do the first one as your last long run before winding down your training and target the second one for a acheiving your goal.

I have been racing for about 10 years and recently did 2 halfs on consecutive weekends, and found that I still had some tiredness in my legs when running hard in the second one. In hindsight a 2 week break would have been better.

 I also did the run to the beat this year and if this is your first one, then it may not be suitable for setting a PB as there are 2 long hills at about 4-5 miles and again at 6-7 miles.  (I also thought that the organisation was a shambles, the course was long, and the £30 entry was like getting mugged without the bruises; but the organisers may have sorted out some of the issues for next year so don't be put off)

 Whatever you decide, i wish you luck.