Half Marathon

MrsHamilton2b · November 2010

My FH and I are training to do a half marathon in March, in order to get in shape for the wedding. Are there any runners, who have any suggestions for beginners?? We are following a training plan from the sponsor of the marathon, i am just curious if there are any other things we should know, because we have never been serious runners before.

glam70s · November 2010

How long have you been running for? I would say if you haven't already been running regularly for 6 months, don't make a half marathon your goal right now. If you're new to running, to go from zero to a half in just a few months is begging for an injury.

I just finished my first half at the end of October, and my biggest advice is to get fitted for proper shoes - you have no idea how much easier your runs will be, and it will help prevent injuries.

Other than that, I think everything else kind of falls into finging what works best for you. If you get cramps, inhaling and exhaling in time with your left foot hitting the ground helps a lot. I found the whole race was far more about the mental challenge - physically it was hard but not ridiculously so. It was definitely my brain that kept trying to find me excuses for stopping. :-)

Good luck!

JoMega · November 2010

I am unsure where you are at physically, but you stated you have never been serious runners before. First step, is to prepare yourself mentally. Training for any event such as a half-marathon seems like it is more of a physical demand, however, if you aren't there mentally, then the physical won't follow. When you start to run longer, it will get hard to stay motivated to run 8, 9 10+ miles. I definitely would start training now, you have plenty of time to train for the half-just listen to your body. Also, eating healthy is really important when it comes to putting your body through months of training. Make sure to have protein to repair your muscles after your longer runs.

I was never a long-distance runner..it took me years to appreciate long runs. When I first started running I would run for 10 minutes and be done because I was not mentally prepared...I slowly started increasing my mileage & would run 4-6 miles a day eventually. I decided to train for the half & the training was WAY harder than the actual race. I was mentally prepared at the beginning but it was hard to maintain that mentality. Toward the end, I just wanted to quit, but I am glad I didn't! The half-marathon will fly by & it is extremely rewarding. After you run that, you will think running 10 miles is nothing! I now love running and can literally run for hours if I've got the time

Good luck with training!! Stay focused

kristen8040 · November 2010

Your at about 16 weeks from March, actually a little less. If you're not on your plan now, it won't work well for you.

Stay focused on your goal but try to make it fun at the same time.

Don't skip runs, even the short ones, it will come back to get get you.

If you do miss any, which you will probably have to, don't try to make it up.

Make sure you rest on your rest days.

Find some shorter races in the meantime to get used to the race atmosphere and nutrition.

You CAN do it, but you have to be willing to put in the work, otherwise it will suck and not be fun! GL!!

redroses333 · November 2010

YOu go girl! I've run three half marathons. I have used Hal Higdon's training plan. Love it! Go for it. There's no greater feeling of achievement!

Just google Hal Higdon

Becca0517 · November 2010

I really want to run a 1/2 marathon as well, and I looked into how to train. I don't know if you have enough time to do this whole training program, or if you found a training program of your own... but the Disney 1/2 Marathon suggests following one of Jeff Galloway's programs:

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/marathon.html

That link might be for the marathon training, but if you look around his website, he has a lot of suggestions.

GL!

MrsHamilton2b · November 2010

Thanks!! I do have time to train for it, and I really appreciate all the help! Hal Higdon's website is amazing. The training plan I have from the marathon I am going to do, and his training plan are practically the same. I am very excited, I just have to find the mind power to do it.

Half Marathon

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