HM in 5 weeks! How to train?

Go big on mileage for 3.5 weeks. 100 kpw or more if you can handle it.

You have time for 4 workouts in a HM-specific progression, one each week from 4.5 to 1.5 weeks out from your race. Make them count. Work up to 3 x 2.5 or 4 x 2 at HMP.

You have time for 3 other workouts from 4 to 2 weeks out. Try to fit in some complementary workouts, including a long tempo of some kind, maybe an MP or fast finish long run, or some repeats a bit faster than HMP.

Don't get injured.

Taper.

Race.

Resolve to start earlier next time.

I think you're selling yourself short a little bit. 10k training closely aligns with half marathon training. You ran a recent 10k PR that roughly equates to your past half marathons. The 10k is actually a little weaker which shows you have good strength. Run your 5k. Take a few easy days to recover. Hit some half marathon specific sessions during the week & hit some half marathon specific long runs.

Assuming the 5k this weekend:

5 weeks out: 5k race

5 to 4: mid-week- light session (still recovering from 5k)- 6-8 x 2:00 on/off working down from marathon to 10k, weekend- 1hr45 with a 3 or 4 mile push @ marathon pace

4 to 3: mid-week- bunch of k's (10-15) @ T, weekend- 2 hours/30km- 2-3 up, 3 @ T, 6 run, 3 @ T, 2-3 cool

3 to 2: mid-week- 2-3 @ T, 4 x 800, 2-3 @ T, weekend- 1hr45 w./ alternating miles @ M

2 to 1: mid-week- 3 x 2 miles @ T, weekend- MLR 12-13 miles easy

Race week: easy taper workout 4ish days out- 4 x 1200 @ T + 4 x 200m

Something like that. Plenty of time to still be smart post-5k. Seems like you've been doing a decent amount of racing. Get the mileage into the 50-60 range (or more). Hit something at threshold mid-week & then do a long run with some spice in it at half marathon to marathon pace. Strides 2x/week. You can be ready for a good half. Can you run 1:20-21? Idk. Your 10k says 1:22-mid. You seem to have good strength. Hit some sessions where you're doing a good chunk at 6:00-6:15 & you'll have a chance.

colder and wiser wrote:

Go big on mileage for 3.5 weeks. 100 kpw or more if you can handle it.

You have time for 4 workouts in a HM-specific progression, one each week from 4.5 to 1.5 weeks out from your race. Make them count. Work up to 3 x 2.5 or 4 x 2 at HMP.

You have time for 3 other workouts from 4 to 2 weeks out. Try to fit in some complementary workouts, including a long tempo of some kind, maybe an MP or fast finish long run, or some repeats a bit faster than HMP.

Don't get injured.

Taper.

Race.

I agree a few higher milage weeks with that type of HM specific workouts are needed. Thanks for this.

colder and wiser wrote:

Resolve to start earlier next time.

Haha, I'll yes I'll definitely talk to the race director about that.

Excellent. Thanks for these specific workout advice. I'll definitely be working these into my plan.