More scheduling questions :)

Okay, here's my scheduling dilemma:

Marathon is Oct 21 with a goal pace of 3:55 or better. Indication after the PR of 1:44 for the half indicates this is doable.

Background: tomorrow, Sept 2 is my second 20 miler for this cycle, although I have run a couple of 16+ runs.

The scheduling dilemma is that I signed up for a 10 mile race on September 30 (a Sunday). I also want to try a simulator run of 26.2K at race pace (a la Davila) sometime in September. I have a perfect course set up.

So the question is: how to fit these in and still have enough time to taper well. My three normal key workouts are a speed work session; a MLR with at least 6-8 at hard effort in a total of 11-13 miles; and a long run of 15+. This is what I am thinking:
Tomorrow: 20 miler
Sun, Sept. 9: 17 (55 mile week)
Sun, Sept 16: 20 (60 mile week)
Sun, Sept 23: 26.2K simulator (60 mile week)
week of Sept 24-30: swap speed work for long run of 16 mid-week and then run the 10 miler on Sunday. (60 mile week)
Sun Oct 7: LR of 16 (50 mile week)
Sun Oct 14: MLR of 12 (30-35 mile week)
Sun Oct 21: race

The only thing that this schedule doesn't have is a 20 miler on that magical 3 week out Sunday because of the 10 mile race, but what it does have is three 60 mile weeks and two nice confidence booster runs: the 26.2K simulator and the Ten Mile race. I remember at the beginning that you guys suggested I run more miles, and I have had more 50+ mile weeks in this training cycle than ever before.

I could run the 26.2K simulator on Sunday the 7th, but I am worried that might be too close to the actual race...

What do you guys think?

I think you'll be fine without a 20 miler 3 weeks out. I think it looks like a good schedule and as long as you can show up to the marathon start healthy and injury free you should do great.

I'd lean towards 20/17-20/simulator/20/10+(2mi warm up, long cool down)/16/12. 5 weeks out for the last 20 seems a bit far. 4 weeks is still pretty "normal."

Your plan looks pretty good. There is no harm in doing a 20 miler two weeks out at your level, you can handle it, and it will stop any doubts in your mind.

I'd skip the 26.2 simulator and use the 10 miler as an indicator of fitness. With the recent half under your belt, I don't see any reason to make that kind of effort over 16+ miles. I'd do 18-20 in place of that and leave the rest of the schedule as is.