Reality Check - Making Plans to Begin Training Again

I'm officially registered for the Philly 1/2 in November - that means I'll be running two 1/2 Marathons within a six week period. I probably am crazy, but I have time to train and still keep working on my speedwork for a little longer, and play 7 1/2 more tennis matches and a few round robins...

1/2 Marathon #1 - Nike+ Women's Half - October 19 (Virtual)
I haven't determined the route I'll be running - might just rerun the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon because it was a challenge but went very well for me. I'm hoping to have someone able to run this with me that day. It's pretty cool that I don't have to go to San Fran but still can get the finished keychain (from Tiffany!)

1/2 Marathon #2 - Philly Half - November 23
I've heard mixed reviews of this and pretty much signed up because as much as I'd like to do the PDR someday, with tennis and volleyball I don't have the time or motivation to commit to as much training as I would need to be ready for the PDR. So the compromise is the Philly Half, same day as the Philly Marathon. I've heard it's a bit hillier than the PDR. Considering the hills I dealt with for the LV Half, I think I can manage. Plus the hill workouts I'm mixing in to get faster (did them again today - MUCH better than last week's attempt) are helpful for speed and endurance.

So my training will start the end of this month. I tossed some numbers into Runner's World's Smart Coach yesterday - this week would be 15 weeks out from the Nike+ 1/2. After following a 16-week training program for my first 1/2 this past spring I know that 16 is too long and 15 can't be much better. I'd rather hold off on the official training until the end of July and keep working on some speed for the shorter distances. My hill run today was evidence that I can keep working on it - I definitely felt better than I did after doing the hills last week. The weather wasn't as balmy and warms so that can play a factor, but regardless, if I can do it once a week and keep building up I'll be pleased. It certainly isn't counterproductive for training for a 1/2.

I'm going on vacation (Vegas, baby!) the beginning of October and found out that it will cost me money to use the hotel fitness center. I pretty much will need to suck it up and pay because I am not going to run along the Strip and at that point will need to do at least 3 runs while I'm away. I suppose it's a good thing because I love food and so does my friend that I'm going there with so it's pretty much a given that we'll be eating very well while we are there. Another thing I need to look at in Vegas is the tennis clinics at the Hilton - looks like $25 for an hour and a half - that's a great deal. Of course all of this will be topped off by at least one trip to the spa at my hotel - MGM Grand. I checked it out the other day and am so looking forward to a massage. It seems like I could use one every other week anymore. I had a facial a week or so ago - my aesthetician commented on it and it's only been a little more than a month since I last had a massage. That's next week's plan...