And the winner of the training program most likely to be used next is...

I have been using the FIRST program, as outlined in the book Run Less, Run Faster, to train for all of my big runs in 2009. I used it to help me improve my time at the National Half Marathon in the spring, which it did in that I finished it over 11 minutes faster the second time I ran it. I then used it to help me prepare for the Las Vegas Rock n Roll Marathon in the fall, although I had to modify my training when I suffered a hamstring strain and had to drop down to the half marathon there. I didn't quite finish in a time I wanted in Vegas, but aside from that I was generally really happy with my run.

However, there comes a time when you need a change. I've been relying on FIRST for over a year now, and I'm burnt out on it. Since I am not confident in my ability to craft a training program on my own, I've been scoping out ones to follow.

After thumbing through a number of books and clicking through a number of web sites -- many of which are complete junk, but some of which seemed pretty good -- I've settled on using Hal Higdon's Advanced half marathon training program.

I am not unfamiliar with Hal Higdon. I used his Novice half marathon training program to get ready for my first-ever half marathon, the aforementioned National Half Marathon in 2008. Quite frankly, I loved the program as I trained, but when it came to race day I felt it left me unprepared for the rigors of a first-time half marathon. But I had another half marathon scheduled 5 weeks later and I bumped up to the intermediate program for the Frederick Half Marathon for the run-up to that, and I set a half marathon PR there that still stands. I've had fair and good experiences with Higdon, so I'm giving him another chance.

Other reasons why I like the Higdon Advanced half marathon training program:

• It incorporates weight training into the program. The FIRST program has 5-6 training days per week, but weights, while covered, must be done extracurricularly (if that's a word). I simply didn't have the time for weights much of the time I was training using FIRST.


• The long runs are done by time and not by distance. I find this aspect of training intriguing. I'm generally one who needs to be told exactly how far and how fast I should go and I'm curious to see how well I adapt to this. Luckily, there's still tighter structure in the shorter runs, so I'm not abandoning my need for explicit instruction completely.


• There's a lot more running than in the FIRST program. FIRST focuses on three runs a week, each targeted to do a specific thing. And it works. But my body wants to run more. Higdon allows for that, with up to three relatively short easy runs a week.

Wow, this post has the word "I" used more than in a Barack Obama speech, and training using this program won't start until February 8, 2010 so I'll probably reconsider and change my mind about using it numerous times between now and then, so maybe everything above should just be disregarded.

Happy Thursday!