I just put together a schedule to train for my first half. I'm thinking of doing the Dallas White Rock on 12/5, so I based it on that. I was up to about 16 miles weekly (including an 8.85 mile weekend run) before I ditched the shoes. I'm on week 3 of barefoot running; last week was my first fully-barefoot week.
A few notes:
A few notes:
- I was conservative in adding total weekly mileage but more aggressive on increasing the length of my long run.
- The total weekly mileage never increases by more than 10% above the highest previous weekly mileage. An exception is this week, when I am increasing mileage by 1.1 miles (17%) over last week, but stretching it out between more runs.
- The long run never increases by more than 20% from the highest previous long run mileage. Is that pushing too much on the long runs? I really want to do a half this fall or winter but if it's just plain stupid to increase my long run distances that quickly, I can stretch this out; there are half marathons scheduled in January, February, and March near where I live.
- This week I've started running 5 days a week since my runs are so short. I used to do 3. I want to transition down to 4 days a week (with one of the runs eventually just being a quick one.)
- The order of the runs on the schedule doesn't really mean anything; within a week the order of the runs will adjust based on distance, my schedule, needed recovery time, etc.
- Currently I am doing well with the BF running. Calf soreness is my biggest complaint, but it's managable; I'm using the foam roller, icing, and stretching. No TOFP, and my soles are doing quite well.
- I do various strengthening exercises (legs, arms, core) throughout the week.
- I plan for all this training to be barefoot or with minimalist shoes. For now I'm 100% BF as I get the hang of my new form.