First timers to the 26.2

I have trained for a marathon before, but never actually ran one yet. In fact I’ve trained for a marathon 2020,2021, and 2022, cancelled cause of covid, then cancelled the next two years for two separate health issues. There has been such a big fire lit inside me where I absolutely want to crush my marathon this year (November 2023).

I have been recovering from a knee injury and my PT has given me the go-ahead to start my running/training for my 4th attempt at a marathon.

My main question / concern is whether or not it is absolutely necessary to do short runs and long runs.

The way I have approached training in the past, is to gradually increase my mileage each week by either half a mile or 1 mile depending on how I’m improving. I would usually run every other day (sometimes add an extra rest day if I’m too sore), and would do something like 6 miles, rest, 6.5 miles, rest, 7 miles, rest, 7 miles, etc.

I have found that I personally find long runs so much worse when I allow myself to do short runs, since I’m incorporating something shorter/less intense rather than just getting used to longer distances.

Is there any huge problem/risk with not incorporating the standard short run long run training program that most people follow? Besides my own method being potentially “less efficient”, I just want to see if I’m doing a big disservice to myself with this alternate method of training.

Also other question I have, I bought the Nike vaporfly 3’s to see if I liked them enough to wear for the actual marathon, since my 4% fly knits are completely worn down from previous years of training. Besides the cost of vaporfly 3’s being expensive, is there any disadvantage to training in these new shoes and buying another pair for the race?