The First Time I Trained for a Half Marathon

I have actually trained for two different half marathons now, but only completed one race. The first one that I trained for was, unfortunately, cancelled due to an impending hurricane (that did not even make an appearance in the end).

In the summer of 2018, I was encouraged by my family to take on a new challenge to battle the lullness I was feeling in life. The initial goal of the challenge was to find a hobby that occupied my time. After some thought, I was inspired to sign up for a half marathon race (13.1 miles) that coming September, but just the idea of running for that distance made my stomach churn every time I thought about it. The longest distance I had run at this time was a 5k race (3.2 miles).

With guidance from some expert runners, in person and on the internet, I began my journey to train for this new goal. Here are some of the components that went into the next few months leading up to the race:

Planning: I found that creating a map for myself was helpful as it showed me at a larger level how my progress would look, but also allowed me the flexibility to gauge my plan week by week. I started off reviewing Hal Higdon’s programs as well as the post by Runner’s World and created a blend between the two. My main focus for this first training was not time/speed, but rather just completion. So having this full overview allowed me to control my training with a relative idea of benchmarks I should meet during certain parts of my training.

Equipment: There were several pieces of equipment that I used to make the most of my runs.

• A solid pair of running shoes. I ran in the shoes that I had at the time, the Zoom Pegasus 33 running shoes which I had previously gotten checked out by my local running store. Having a good pair of running shoes allowed my foot to strike the ground naturally and not be extra weight for my legs to carry around. 
• A running watch. I borrowed my sister’s Garmin Runner’s watch to keep track of my distance and time. For a sense of accomplishment, I would take a picture of the screen after every run to see my improvement from previous runs.
• A roller. I cannot emphasize how much this roller helped me during the recovery process of my long runs. I found that the days I did not use the roller, my muscles would be significantly more stiff and sore the next day. So whenever I would get a chance, I would try to roll out my calves and thighs to help increase blood flow to that area and boost the recovery.
• A yoga mat. I made sure to stretch my entire body before and after each run and believe that is the primary reason I did not experience a single injury throughout this training. I followed basic pre-workout stretches and made sure to repeat them twice after my workout, focusing on my leg muscles. 
• A running belt. For my long runs, I borrowed my dad’s running belt which allowed me to carry my phone and a water bottles around my waist. For my shorter runs, I tried to put my phone in the pocket of my leggings or hold it. 

Breaks: While I had planned and was tracking the entire training program day by day, there were several moments during those months that I took breaks. I listened to my body and if I felt that I could not run, I would try to walk. If I was not able to walk, I would try to just stretch out my body. It was important to me to keep my muscles active and stretched even if I could not run because that would help with recovery and preparation for the next run.

Fuel: I found that food is half the training when it comes to dedicating yourself to a fitness goal. In the beginning, I did not take my diet as seriously as I should have and realized that after a weekend of savory meals enriched with creams and cheeses, I struggled on my Monday morning runs. This quickly changed as I realized a healthier meal was necessary for a stronger run. As my weekly mileage increased, I found myself stepping away from foods that I normally craved and reaching for fruits or vegetable snacks instead. 

Water: Water was key! Hydrating throughout the day for a run in the evening or the following morning was crucial. If I had not consumed enough water the previous day, I felt the dehydration catch up to me during the run. It was harder to push myself further and faster without the proper water intake. I made sure to drink as close to a gallon of water as I could during the daytime to allow my body to hydrate and prevent bloating through the night.

Even though I did not get to run the actual race on Race Day, I did feel a significant difference in my life. I had learned so much about my body and how to care for it better. I learned that running is more of a mental game than how strong your body is. I felt lighter, more energetic, and happier to have accomplished something for myself every single day. I encourage you to take on a challenge that is a bit out of your comfort zone and push yourself. Commit to the goal and see what changes it can bring your life!