I really believe in the approach that this guy promotes. Two seasons ago I took a break after my last race and then started running 6 days a week, short distances, and low HR (max 135 bpm). I knocked a full minute off my average km pace in 4 months without any speedwork and had no injury problems.
Thanks for posting DaveH. I was actually just thinking about what I should focus on this winter. I thought by training for a spring marathon would help me.