Originally Posted by pinniped
The one thing I'd recommend even if your plan doesn't - make sure you add some racing along the way. I love a 1/2 marathon on my last step-back week - usually 4 or 5 weeks before goal race. And maybe drop in a 10K and/or a 10-miler on earlier step-back weeks. Short races are not only good training, they are bloody good fun and the keep your interest piqued for the goal race.
Only thing I don't do is try to race on the same weekend as I'm pushing my long run out to a new (longer) distance. I use the step-back weeks.
Yeah my training notes an option of a 5k or 10k some weeks instead of the 8-10 long run (step backs). I'll have to look at the runs coming up in Colorado and see if anything fits.