I spent the past two months training for ahalf-marathon.
It was far from my first half-marathonit was number sevenbut this one was at theSkechers Performance LA Marathon.
I wasn’t ready to tackle a full marathon yet, so I opted for the relay half option.
Courtest of Skechers Performance
Five years ago, I did not want to run for 10 minutes, let alone for 13.1 miles.
And now, I’m contemplatingrunning a full marathon.
Signing up for a long-distance race is intimidating.
But knowing what to expect can help ease your anxiety and boost your confidence.
I finally settled onone by Hal Higdon.
It’s really straightforward and easy to follow.
But what I learned over the years is that the specifics don’t really matter.
I recently followedSELF’s 8-week half-marathon training plan, and felt equally as prepared.
The key is to find a plan created by a running coach or fitness pro.
I don’t think I lifted a single weight the entire time I trained for my first half.
And boy, did I feel itfor an entire week after.
I could barely walk the first three days.
In fact,research showsthat incorporating strength into a training routine can help improve the efficiency of long-distance running.
Pacing success means you don’t start sprinting and end up having to walk later.
Instead, you settle into (and maintain) a speed that’s challenging but sustainable.
After my first half, I decided I’d like to keep running, so I bought arunning watch.
It helps to sometimes ignore your watch and just listen to your body.
What I really mean: If you drink too much water beforehand, you will need to pee.
That way, you could take sips here and there if you need it between water stations.
Also,over-hydrating can actually be a serious medical problem, although it’s rare.
Wiping snot on your sleeveespecially if you’re training in cold weathermay be necessary.
And yes, people pee during half marathons.
It happens to some people, and you shouldn’t worry about a little leakage.
Everyone will just think it’s butt sweat anyway (more fluids).
OK, so someone did tell me this, and I listened diligently at first.
My pre-race meal is always an English muffin with almond or peanut butter.
But then I got cocky in subsequent races and ate random granola bars or, biggest mistake, yogurt.
Whatever you eat before training runs, stick to that on race day.
Your digestive system doesn’t need any surprises right before you run 13.1 miles.
I still stop to walk sometimes.
The first time I ran a half-marathon with a friend, it was kind of life-changing.
My friend and I decided to try and stay together since we had similar time goals.
I did the same with another friend in a different race, and I felt somotivatedand accountable.
I’m normally agood self-motivator, but hey, I’m only human.
You might be thinking,LOL, Amy, you’re crazy.
But it can be!
And it should be!
Train your heart out, but when it comes to race day, don’t take yourself so seriously.
Being miserable won’t help.
Run, slow down when you better, and take in the excitement of race day.
Oh, and smile, because you’re being photographed.
My brother basically forced me into running my first half-marathon.
I had no desire to do it, and thought that it would be a one-and-done situation.
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