I successfully completed the 44 miles planned for this week, which included a 12 mile run on January 1st. No problem. Why slow down now? Let's do 45 next week.

Plan for week of January 2.

45 miles, including a 7 mile tempo, a 13 mile long run, and 4 times 6.25 miles easy runs. Easy runs and long run at around 8:00, fast portion of the tempo is at 6:50.

I plan 46 miles for last pre-plan week of 1/9, then cut back some for the first week of the plan. How much exactly will be determined then. That will be an important decision, because it will also determine the peak mileage for the plan. Originally I thought I would cut back to 40, because there will be a step up in the intensity. That still sounds like a fine idea.