Running - half marathon advice

[Flatinbed]

I have 8 weeks left until my half marathon. I was making progress slowly but surely. But now I seemed to have hit a plateau in both motivation and progress.

I started training in march/april. A month ago i did a 10 km in 1:12 and was really happy. But now I am finding running 10 km really hard. I am no faster. I have had a couple of minor injuries, so don't want to push myself.

I need to up my distance. I do parkrun every second week and run 3 times a week. I also not particularly enjoying it anymore. But I have paid for the race and hotel for the family.

Any tips?

Are you increasing distance and feeling more tired for it? Pace is naturally lower over longer distances compared to shorter distances anyway.

Are you fuelling your longer runs?

Also the heat in the past month will affect performance and energy but not actual fitness.

I wouldn’t worry about the speed. It takes how long it takes.
Could you try and add a mile to your distance every other week? 10 miles would be a good base for the event.
I think it’s normal for motivation to dip- might come back again!

Are you aiming for a time? Remember it’s a first so it’s a PB. As above aim to do a 10 miler at some point, otherwise you’re golden. Seriously, it’s not that difficult, if you are doing it gently and you can always take a walk break. You’ll still finish! Good luck!

Time on feet matters more than pace in training - especially for the long run. I always find taking a week easy - a recovery week in my training helps with build up of fatigue. You body is telling you something, so if you need to ease it off, that’s ok. Good luck with your race!

How warm is it where you are? I'm also training at the moment and a few weeks ago I was running 12k not too much problem. Today I set out to run 10k and had to stop at 5, and that was probably too much to be honest. It is so many times harder running in the heat, especially humid heat. I try and comfort myself that my next properly cool run will feel really easy!

I've got my first half marathon end of September, and I'm a similar position!

Firstly, are you doing varied training like intervals, hills, sprints mixed with shorter and longer runs?

The heat has been an utter arse, I am built for firsts and bogs, not humidity! My pace is off by a full minute BUT I know I know I'm completing the runs at a sensible pace.

Resting for a week won't impact what you've already built, take the time off and commit to rest before your body puts you flat on your arse.

Have you got any events like a local 10k which you can use as a midway focal point.

Perfectly normal to feel a bit flat at points and progress does plateau - some of it is just maintaining the discipline of consistency of training and then the motivation comes back in again.

Time on feet is really important, it’s very hard to get faster and build endurance at the same time.

I’ve run for yonks, to a half decent level, if you’re serious about completing it as a bit of tough love, sometimes the training sucks, it’s not realistic to enjoy every one, but it will help you enjoy the day.

I got injured before my half marathon snd switched to jeffing to complete it; I’d run for 2mins, walk for 1 on repeat, the whole way. My pace was actually pretty good considering! So much less strenuous on the joints :)

Also don’t neglect gels / carbs; look at Kendall mint cake - got me through!

Top tip - don’t give blood a few days before the event. What kind of idiot would think this would be ok? (Ah yes, that would be me 🙈)

I've got my first half in 7 weeks and struggling too. Recently my time available for running has been very limited, and I'm about to go on holiday, so it'll be even more so. I've been trying to get my mileage up before the holiday so there won't be so much to do after. But most weeks I've only managed 2 runs a week, occasionally only 1. I've prioritised the long run, probably the wrong thing. If I had time to do more short runs I know I'd be feeling better. Right now I'm really resenting the me who booked the race in January!! But I'm stubborn and determined I'll do it one way or other. Not worrying about my pace or time, don't care if I have to walk bits of it, just get through in one piece. And if I don't, my friend is on motorbike medic duty!
Good luck

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I should be focusing on the distance and not time. I will try slow down (although it may be hard to go slower!) and put in the hours!

The heat could be a factor. But I do live in a colder climate, but sunny 20-degree weather does effect me slightly.

Food is important. Today I only had a light breakfast. Lots of things to think about!

Do you have a free run club near you? I found it way more motivational running in a group, and you may find some of them are training for the same half marathon as you and will know how to increase the training each week to help.