Adopting a Training Schedule & LSD

For the last several months I have been running and training as I wanted. Not being a very regimented person, this unstructured training has proven effective for me. To be perfectly honest, many of the training programs I found in the past assumed you were in much better physical condition than I.

I found a training plan for a half marathon on http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/novice.htm

The plan appears to be in line with my current physical capabilities. It is a twelve week plan. I have ten more weeks until my half marathon. I'll jump into the schedule at week three. It incorporates strength training on Mondays as well as a provision for cross training on Saturdays. Fridays are the rest days and long runs are scheduled for Sundays.

There is a training type called Long Slow Distance (LSD) which is described below. The training plan above incorporates LSD runs on Sundays. I have not completed enough of this training type to date.
excerpted from http://runninginjuryfree.org/2008/10/long-slow-distance.html

Long slow distance is running at a moderate pace in which you can carry on a conversation and in which you aren't panting for breath and don't get side stitches (cramps) or a raw throat. Running LSD means that you're running aerobically, that is, your body is getting sufficient oxygen. Running LSD means that you're using moderation in your training and not pushing your body to extreme stress levels. Most of your training should be LSD if you want to run injury free. It's during your LSD runs that your body develops endurance. As you run, you put your body under stress, and body cells are destroyed. During the 48 hours after your runs, your body reacts to the stress by rebuilding the body cells, and the end result is that you're stronger than you were before. At least, its supposed to work that way. The problem is that if you apply more stress than your body can handle, your body can't fully recover, and residues of stress remain. Over time, those residues can build up until the stress reaches the point where your body breaks down and injury occurs. Many runners are anxious to develop speed and long distances, and they push themselves to reach faster and longer goals. This works for a while, because their bodies can withstand the stress and not break down. But, if the high stress levels are continued, the time comes when their bodies can't handle the stress, and the runners either become injured, or they become so tired that they often lose motivation and stop running. Through using moderation by running slower (LSD) and allowing more time for rest between runs, runners can reduce their stress level to the point where their bodies can handle it, and they can reach their goals without injury and without being overly tired. In doing this, they can develop a good base that will allow them to do speed training in a systematic and safe way. Rest after a run doesn't imply no running. If you feel up to it, you can allow your body to rest by running shorter and/or slower distances or by doing cross-training.
Of course, if all you run is LSD, you'll never become a fast racer. If racing is your interest, you'll want to do speed work and run hills after you have a good base of LSD.