Help I'm knackered!

Can anyone help? I am a 44 yr old woman who has come into running laterly - and now find myself entering in various races and have been pleased up until now with my results (first half marathon last year 1 hr 56, best 10k 50mins and 10mile race last year 1 hr 26)..however this year I find as I train for the 10 mile race again that I am really struggling - both with pace (following a smartcoach schedule based on best 10k time) and also on the long run days I am yawning by midday and ready for bed at 5pm (impossible with kids!). Does anyone else suffer from this tiredness after a tough session??? Any clues - what I could be doing to boost my motivation (the race is next weekend and I don't feel anything like ready even tho I am doing all the schedule miles - just not the pace!).....and any clues about the total knackeredness I seem to be feeling???

Seems like rest is the simple answer. Never do hard sessions on consecutive days (a long run is a hard session) and remember it's when you recover that your muscles get stronger not when you actually run.
JJ

You could have low blood iron levels.  If you still feel tired after resting then it might be worth going to the doctors for a blood test just for peace of mind.  I recently trained for a marathon and after 8 weeks I noticed I was constantly tired, especially after running, and I really struggled to keep my pace up.  It made me lose all motivation for running because I was getting slower and slower and I could barely run a mile without feeling out of breath and tired.  In the end I went to the doctors because I've been anaemic before and knew that one of the symptoms is constantly feeling tired.  My blood test showed I had very low blood iron levels and I was put onto iron tablets.  Since then my running has been better than it has ever been and I generally feel loads better.  I'd say it's definitely worth checking because it makes such a huge difference and if it's not then at least you can put it down to overtraining and take some rest.

It sounds like you've ramped the intensity up too quickly. All coaching schedules on here are generic, they obviously have to be.... and so, sticking to them by the letter isn't right for everyone. Listen to your body; if you need a few days off or to cut back on you weekly mileage... do so.

Imo; the body takes a lot of training over a long period of time to find the runner inside. It is an endurance sport after all. Hope you feel better soon.

Oh and use recovery drinks.

Thanks so much for all your input everyone that has replied - I have just read an article in runners world about iron deficiency (never had it before that I know of..survived having 2 kids fine...) but think it may be worth checking out...plus just easing back a bit.  The 10 mile race is tomorrow and I find myself struck down with a gastro bug running for the loo....so wont' be trying to run 10 miles on a hot day after that.....guess there will be other races and there is always next year eh??