Back in January, I decided to sign up for my very first half marathon. This half marathon was going to be at Glacier National Park – about 5,000 feet in altitude with an ascent of about 800 feet. I wanted to challenge myself, and what better way to do that than run a race at such a high altitude?

The climb that stretched out about four miles really gased me out, but the descent at the end of that climb was fun and I felt like I was flying. I was running really fast miles from mile 5 to mile 7. Looking back, I think that running both downhill and really fast tired my legs out. On mile 10, my legs started to hurt and give out a little bit. I still had to keep going for another 3.1 miles. Some people might consider this cheating or lazy, but I did decide to walk for a couple of minutes to gain some strength and comfortability back in my legs. After that short walk, I decided to continue running and not stop like my life depended on it.

I crossed the finish line in two hours and 31 minutes, which was way better than I thought I would run. Here is a list of some insights I gained during this run:

1. You actually need to give yourself time to train. Granted, you can run a half marathon without training, but you will set yourself up for success when you give youself plenty of time to train and get yourself acclimated to running regularly. I am definitely not trying to make excuses here, but I didn’t start training until two weeks before the race. I didn’t really think too much about the race until I finally saw it on my calendar. Prior to those two weeks, I was doing any kind of exercise I wanted, whether it was spin class, yoga, or pilates. I probably ran a total of 5 times in the span of 6 months before I started “training.” When I started running during the race, I immediately regretted not being more serious about training. Training consistently would have helped me not only PR, but also not injure myself so easily when I attempted to run at fast speeds for miles during that race.
2. Make sure to hydrate, eat carbs, and get plenty of sleep at least two nights before the race. Nutrition, rest, and sleep all play a factor in performance. Remember when teachers would tell you these things the week before a major test? The same is true for a huge race. You want to be at your absolute best on race day. The night before the race, I ate pizza and pasta to carbo load. Two days before, I drank tons of water so I wouldn’t get dehydrated on race day. I also made sure that I got at least 8 hours of sleep everyday that week. That preparation did wonders for me. I’m glad I took that advice because it prepared me to do the best that I could during that race.
3. Look at the course map or scope out the course the day before the race. This tip isn’t a must, but it is helpful. When you see the course before you actually run it, it could help you mentally prepare for those rough inclines and powerful descents. It could also help you plan your paces because inevitably and typically, we tend to run slower on the uphills and much faster on the downhills.

Those are my tips for a successful half marathon! Whether you are about to run your first or your 29th race, these tips can help ensure that you are at your best on race day!

What’s my goal time for my next half marathon? I’m hoping to run the thing in two hours and 10 minutes. If I commit to a running plan and stick to it throughout the summer and early fall, I’m sure I can achieve that time. My next half marathon is set for October 27, 2024. Let’s get to training!

Xoxo,

Nene