Why you’re stuck in your training (and how to break through)

We’ve all been there. You start off motivated, maybe even with a race on the calendar, but after a few weeks something just feels off. You’re doing your sessions (mostly), but the progress just isn’t there. You feel tired, confused, or just stuck.

Sound familiar?

Whether you're a beginner or have been running for years, hitting a plateau is frustrating, and often it's not about your physical ability. It's about how you train and, more importantly, how you think about training.

Here are the four most common reasons runners get stuck and what you can do to break through.

The 4 most common reasons athletes get stuck in their training

Decision fatigue

You’re not sure how to structure your training.

Yes, you can find plenty of training plans with a quick Google search. But which one actually works for you, with your current fitness level, lifestyle, and goals? Who can you trust? With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. There are endless ways to train for a race, but the best way is to work with someone you trust and enjoy working with and who can guide you through it with clarity and purpose.

No guidance

You have no one to turn to when things don’t go to plan.

A free training plan can tell you what to do, but it won’t answer your questions or adapt when life happens or something feels off.

What if you miss a long run? What if your knee starts to hurt? What if motivation drops?

Even pro athletes have coaches and support systems. You don’t need to figure it out alone. In fact, trying to do so often slows you down more than you realise.

No patience

You want results, and you want them now.

We live in a world where everything is instantly available. And social media shows us how successful others are, in the shortest possible time. And that mindset often leaks into our training. We expect to see results fast. But progress in training takes time. We have to be patient.

The good news? With the right strategy and consistency, your training can take you from where you are now to a stronger, faster, and more confident runner, whether that’s in three months, six months or a year.

The key is to stay consistent and trust the process.

No strategy

You’re training without a clear plan.

If you wake up every day wondering, “What should I do today?”, you’re not training, you’re guessing. And guessing is exhausting.

Why did you run 10km yesterday? What was the purpose of that interval session?

Every run should have a purpose. Without structure, it’s easy to overtrain, undertrain, or simply burn out. A smart, adaptable strategy can turn your running journey around, keep you moving forward and make running more enjoyable.

You don’t have to do this alone

If any of this resonated with you, know that you’re not the only one. And you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself.

As a running coach, I help runners build structured, personalised training that fits into your life, not the other way around. Whether you're just getting started or working towards a big goal, I’ll support you every step of the way.

While no coach can promise exact results, here’s what you can expect when we work together:

Imagine having someone removing the guesswork, giving you a clear and smart strategy, keeping you accountable each week, and guiding you to become a stronger, more confident runner.

Now picture this: You're crossing the finish line of your dream event. You’ve trained consistently, built your fitness week by week, and committed to showing up for yourself. That feeling of accomplishment? It stays with you.

It’s not just about reaching one goal. It’s about building the confidence to take on your next challenge. It’s about creating momentum and habits that improve your life far beyond running.

If you're ready to invest time and effort into becoming a stronger, more resilient runner - physically and mentally - then I’m happy to coach you.

Get in touch and let’s unlock your running journey!