
Why Your Half Marathon Has Plateaued (And How to Train for a Breakthrough)
From Tread Lightly Running Science Podcast by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris
June 27, 2026 · 38 min · Episode 173
About this episode
This episode discusses the causes of performance plateaus in half marathon training and offers solutions for improvement.
Repeatedly missing your running goals is a frustrating experience, especially if you are training hard for a race. In this episode, we discuss what causes a half marathon plateau and solutions to break through to the next performance level. You will learn how to know if you need more speed, goal pace training, endurance, or strength when training for a half marathon. Even if your races have not plateaued, the advice in this episode will help you keep progressing in your half marathon times. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨ Title Nine: Comfortable sports bras that actually fit, from a women-owned company. Use code RUNTOTHEFINISH for free shipping at https://runtothefinish.com/title-nine/ ✨ Tailwind : Complete sport nutrition made simple, including hydration mixes, high-carb sport drinks, endurance fuel, and recovery mixes. Use code TREADLIGHTLY20 at https://tailwindnutrition.com/TREADLIGHTLY for 20% off your first purchase. In this episode, you’ll learn about: ✅ What defines and causes a performance plateau ✅ Recovery variables that could cause a plateau ✅ Why more is not always the solution to a performance plateau ✅ If speed, endurance, or another variable is your limitation ✅ Why…
People in this episode
Hosts: Amanda Brooks, Laura Norris
Topics covered
- half marathon training
- performance plateau
- running goals
- speed training
- endurance
- strength training
Keywords
- half marathon
- training plateau
- running performance
- speed training
- endurance
- strength
- goal pace
Sponsors
Title Nine, Tailwind
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