Running a half marathon is the easy bit. It’s the months of training before it that presents the real challenge. Staying focused on a single goal for such a long time tests your commitment, so when you’re tired and the weather’s throwing everything at you it can be easy to find excuses not to get out there and put in the hard yards.

Here are my three tips for keeping your eye on the prize when your motivation is running low.

1) CONNECT with other runners.

Having other runners around you who are on the same journey is hugely motivating, especially when you’re hauling yourself out of bed at silly o’clock on a Sunday morning. Get yourself over to Sweatshop’s training runs if you can, or even just connect with others through social media like the RHM Facebook group.

Visit http://readinghalfmarathon.com/community/training-runs.htm for all the training dates and distances.

2) Find your WHY.

The half marathon is the culmination of thousands of individual stories. Each person lining up on Sunday 22 March has a reason for being there. The better you can tune into your personal reason the easier it is to tap into your reserves of motivation.

Dig deep and ask yourself what the real emotional reason is for putting yourself through the training. Once you’ve discovered your WHY you’ll be fuelled by limitless inspiration.

3) Piecing the puzzle TOGETHER.

Every run you do is a part of the puzzle and understanding how each one contributes to the big picture can help. When you can see how your sessions nine weeks out from the race are going to add to your performance and experience, it becomes easier to fit them in.

For more information about training for the event visit http://readinghalfmarathon.com/community/training-advice.htm.

There is still time to enter, so rally your friends and get to the start line in two months’ time!

Entries close at midnight on Monday 26th January. Head over to www.readinghalfmarathon.com to secure your place.

George Anderson is the official training partner for the 2015 Vitality Reading Half Marathon. For more information about training for this event please visit http://readinghalfmarathon.com/community/training-advice.htm