Where is my running

My running has been in a trough for the past week or so. My body is still a little stressed from the long run in California, I didn't hit my pace for the workout last Thursday, and the TLT-2 was brutal. I am doing a workout tomorrow and then I am running the Get in Gear half marathon (at marathon pace) on Saturday morning. There is no relief during this phase of training. When will things start to get easier? I was thinking back on my training for the first marathon. I remember it being incredibly difficult. I remember reaching the breaking point during several workouts. The marathon pace workouts tell the tale. The first, a 12-miler, was extremely challenging. The second, a 15-miler, I didn't finish because I fell off the pace. The third, another 15-miler was spectacular. I was fit. I remember all the training for Twin Cities 2006 being difficult. The run that shall not be spoken about. Oops, better stop here.