Get those long runs in. The only thing to do is slow down at the start so you have enough left to finish them. If you ended the last run at 9:49 pace, then start the next one at that pace and you'll probably feel better after 12 miles. Wash, rinse, repeat. Don't worry about pace. Go as slow as you need to. You are where you are and the goal is to get you to the finish line in November.

Two things I can think of; one is that you might be getting into a stress situation, another is, as repeatedly pointed out (not that I'm saying THIS IS IT!), you are going out too fast.

We have no idea even how old you are and, I've seen this before but, a young fit person COULD sometimes get away with running 10 miles or even more fairly strongly with very little training. This could be your case last year??? 30 miles a week program doesn't sound too taxing at all but if you've been doing "long runs" every week at the pace that's over your heard, you WILL most likely get in a stress situation. Usually it occures much earlier (say, 6 months or so). I have no idea if you've ever run any other distance (half or 10k) and don't know where you get this 9:00 minute pace that you seem to have settled for but obviously it's getting too much for you. I see way too many people just jump in a marathon, thinking they can do it around 4-hours without any reasonable thought put into it. I'm not saying this is your case, but I'd like to know if the effort is reasonable or if you are in fact getting into a stress situation. Normally, people would progress if they follow reasonable program. The only things I can think of that they digress is that they started out over their heads thinking they could handle it and paying for it later on (young and restless, you know); or some other factors in life is affecting you like work situation, family, diet, etc.

Assuming this is the case (that you are in the stress situation), I don't think sticking to the plan of doing long runs is a good idea. If anything, I would cut your long runs to, at most, every other week. I'll have you take 3 weekends off completely, forget running and do something else. But continue some easy jog during the week--we have no idea what type of training you're following but I'd assume you are doing a couple of days of jogging during the week. But when you start out with the long runs, we'll do it slower (as been suggested several times) and make it slightly longer. I know you may think it's crazy ("I'm already having a trouble doing 10 miler!"); but for once, forget how many miles you're running and keeping track of your pace (you seem to get it too precise...do you use GPS?). Just go out and run wherever you want for 2~3 hours. Walk if you need to; but stay on your feet for a long time. I'd also suggest you do one easy fartlek session once a week to stimulate your legs.

Lastly, I know you're frustrated. I don't even know how many more weeks/months you have before the marathon (unless i missed it) but don't do it for the wrong reason. Having already paid or having told all your friend (to simply keep face) is hardly a good reason to suffer through it and come out absolutely hating the experience. If this is it for you, by all means; but if you have any intention of continuing your marathoning, or even just running for that matter, don't do it for the wrong reason. It sounds like YOU are being dictated by the schedule, not the other way around.

Read up on the symptoms of over training. Try slowing down. You will be surprised at how much more enjoyable the runs will be. Oh, most folks you see doing" the death march" the last 8-10 miles of a marathon probably did most of their training too quickly--based on unrealistic goals and not having the patience to build a strong aerobic base.

Most new on the scene runners get quick real fast--overtrain/overace and join the "I use to run but....club". In my over 31 yrs out on the roads there aren't many who still toe the line over 3 decades later. I will ask around at this years Rocket City Marathon and see how many were there in 1977 toeing the line to run the marathon. I was 34 back then and plan on running a faster time than I did 30 yrs ago (3:58). Nick

It sure sounds like overtraining, regressing rather than progressing with your running more than before. I agree with nobby about trying cutting your long runs to every other week and going out slower to start, especially with the extra heat and humidity in the summer. Skip next week's long run in favor of a shorter easy run, then take it a little easy a couple of days before your next long run - maybe skip the speedwork that week - so your legs are well rested before your next attempt at 12-15. You should still have plenty of time to get those long runs in doing them every other week before your marathon; what your'e doing now obviously isn't working.

Hydration is very important, and electrolytes as well, so stashing extra Gatorade along your route should certainly help, and the carbs will help as well. If you need to walk a little to get the fluids in, don't worry about it. You need to break though that long run barrier.