So I am finishing up my first full year in the real world. I have been working a standard 8-6 job since I graduating - I'm a real desk jockey now. I have been trying to keep my running up - like one month it would be 3 or 4 times a week then the next I would be lucky to get 2 runs a week in. More recently (last few months) I have gotten in the gym 4 times a week after work (distance running lifting - lower weight, higher rep) and a standard 3.5 mile run before work.
I started getting the bug again about a month and a half ago and hit 40+ miles 4 straight weeks before a 50+ this past week and hope to continue the trend. My issue is they are all just runs, no workouts, but all at a good clip - always between 6-7 min pace (most of the time hovering around 6:20's - only saying this to hint that I still have some of my same shape). Over these past 5 weeks of "upped" mileage I was able to do a 10+ mile run and this past week a 10 and a 12 both in the 6:30's and felt great.
My question (and I do hoenstly hope to get good responses) is what do I do next? I have never been a knowledgeable runner, I just basically did what i was told. I ran for 8 years, better at cross than on the track (24:30's for 8k and 32 for 10K while 14:30's indoor 5k) and want to start hitting the roads a bit, maybe do a track 5k or something (maybe not this season). But what is my next step without any specific goal in mind (other than maybe the Turkey Trot 10k next fall)? Do I just keep the mileage going, do I start doing some designed tempos or track workouts? I was thinking maybe sets of 4x400 in 75 with 100 jog as an indicator of fitness right now and seeing how many sets I could get in comfortably?
Any help is appreciated...