I always say if the marathon is a part-time interest, you will only get part-time results.
I often lose motivation, but it's something I accept as normal.
Every race is totally different.
Don't feel guilty about driving somewhere nice to run. If people can drive to a park to eat hot dogs, you can drive there to run.
No one who works a forty hour week will ever beat me.
A change of pace in terms of your running pace will give you strength psychologically.