First Half Marathon

clarkeje1

Hey everyone! So I looked through some of the previous threads about half marathons and got a few tips but I'm just curious if you guys have anymore. My first half marathon is October 19th. I currently am up to 9.5 miles (10 this weekend). I just wanted to know if you guys had any tips on how to make my first half the best it can be. Also, what is considered a "good" time for a half? I am a pretty slow runner.

cwsikes

Don't go out too fast and nothing new on race day. There is no "good" time. A good time for me would be sub 2 hours while a good time for my husband would be sub 1:20. Good is whatever you can finish at and be willing to do it again someday.

sierravictor

I just finished my first this past weekend! I ran in just over 3 hours. There were loads of people of all shapes and sized who finished with me, and even well later than me. So just run your own race! Good luck!

crimznrose

Don't start out too fast. Keep a nice steady pace and you'll finish well. As for time - it all depends on you. What is your personal goal for the half? My first half I just wanted to finish in under 3 hours. Then my next goal was finishing in under 2:30. One of these days I'll get to the point where I want to finish in under 2 hours but I'm not there yet.

Hydrate and sleep the TWO days before the race. You won't sleep easily the night before so make sure you spend a few days before the half fueling and resting for the event. Whether it's a good pic or not, save your finish photo as a memory of your first half marathon. My friend's first half didn't have finish line photos so it was pretty disappointing, but her 2nd half (just 5 days later) got some great pictures to capture the memory.

studentgirly

I am doing one in Novemeber and haven't started training yet.
Any tips or advice?

clarkeje1

I am doing one in Novemeber and haven't started training yet.
Any tips or advice?

Basically I could already run 8 miles. I just added 1/2 a mile each week. I run 3x a week, 2 shorter (around 4-6 miles) runs and 1 long run where I increase by 1/2 a mile each week. That's my plan.

clarkeje1

Thanks for the tips guys, I love it! Keep em coming!

bartonjack

DON'T worry about your time!! Just stay within yourself and do what YOU can do. Don't worry what everyone else is doing. Just worry about you and enjoy the run.

EmmaNilsson77

I'm always in for tips! My first half is five days before yours, am quite excited. Good luck!

Linli_Anne

I'm also running my first 1/2 on October 19th.

As this is my first road race, my goal is to complete it. Honestly, I have no set time that I want to cross the finish line in. I have a rough idea of what my time will likely be, given my training pace etc. but, I'm not going to commit to trying to make a time.

Here are some tips that I received from some seasoned runners who I know:

1) Start of slow, in the middle of the pack, behind those out to break PRs etc.

2) When you first start running, slow it down. Adrenaline of the race day will be pushing you more than you realize so slow it down a notch.

3) Don't think that walking will "ruin" your race - lots of people do 10 minutes run, 1 minute walk or 2 mile run 1 minute walk. Overall your pace is not usually affected by this, but gives you just enough recovery to keep pushing

4) Smile. Remember why you put in all those hours training, why you signed up. Chances are this is all for YOU. So, enjoy it!

5) Drink lots of water the 2-3 days leading up to race day, and ease up on the fibre. Think simple carbs (white breads/pasta) and lean meats (fish, boneless skinless chicken breasts)

6) Track what does and doesn't feel good on your training runs - notice certain miles that bring on cramps, fatigure, mental block etc. Also track how you feel after, if you had to stop to use the bathroom etc. Write down what you eat the night before and morning before your long runs. Did you feel satisfied? Were you hugnry? If something is working, don't change it right before the race.

Best wishes on your first 1/2 marathon. I know that I am looking forward to mine!!

DefyGravity1977

My first half is next weekend. I am both excited and a little scared. My goal for the first one is just to finish in a decent timeframe.

Chieflrg

I'm not an expert on halfs, although I've been know to run them on back to back days sometimes.

Lots of rest and water the days before. I usually load up on carbs the night before.

Start out slow the first couple miles and let your body dictate on going faster when its ready. One trick that works for me is 10-20 gummy bears bout 6-7 miles in. Gives me instant energy and burst.

Everybody is different on times as you said, but a decent 1st half time for me is 60 minutes.

clarkeje1

I'm also running my first 1/2 on October 19th.

As this is my first road race, my goal is to complete it. Honestly, I have no set time that I want to cross the finish line in. I have a rough idea of what my time will likely be, given my training pace etc. but, I'm not going to commit to trying to make a time.

Here are some tips that I received from some seasoned runners who I know:

1) Start of slow, in the middle of the pack, behind those out to break PRs etc.

2) When you first start running, slow it down. Adrenaline of the race day will be pushing you more than you realize so slow it down a notch.

3) Don't think that walking will "ruin" your race - lots of people do 10 minutes run, 1 minute walk or 2 mile run 1 minute walk. Overall your pace is not usually affected by this, but gives you just enough recovery to keep pushing

4) Smile. Remember why you put in all those hours training, why you signed up. Chances are this is all for YOU. So, enjoy it!

5) Drink lots of water the 2-3 days leading up to race day, and ease up on the fibre. Think simple carbs (white breads/pasta) and lean meats (fish, boneless skinless chicken breasts)

6) Track what does and doesn't feel good on your training runs - notice certain miles that bring on cramps, fatigure, mental block etc. Also track how you feel after, if you had to stop to use the bathroom etc. Write down what you eat the night before and morning before your long runs. Did you feel satisfied? Were you hugnry? If something is working, don't change it right before the race.

Best wishes on your first 1/2 marathon. I know that I am looking forward to mine!!

Great tips, thank you!

RunWinterGarden

Lots of great tips in here! I'll echo the biggest one for me, don't run too fast out of the chute!!! Pace yourself, otherwise you will be dead by the time it gets to the end. Take your time, use your walk breaks (if you are doing a run/walk method) when you scheduled them. Don't worry about others and how they are doing, focus on yourself and making sure that you are conserving your energy during the first 7-8 miles so that you can push at the end if you see that you are on pace for a time you are happy with.

Overall though, just HAVE FUN. Running is fun, talk to people around you if you are bored, enjoy the course and the scenery.

clarkeje1

My first half is next weekend. I am both excited and a little scared. My goal for the first one is just to finish in a decent timeframe.

What is a decent time? Under 3 hours? I dunno, I'm slow lol

clarkeje1

Any tips on chafing? Body glide?

DefyGravity1977

My first half is next weekend. I am both excited and a little scared. My goal for the first one is just to finish in a decent timeframe.

What is a decent time? Under 3 hours? I dunno, I'm slow lol

I would go for 3 hours. I can do four miles in an hour at the moment.

RunWinterGarden

My first half is next weekend. I am both excited and a little scared. My goal for the first one is just to finish in a decent timeframe.

What is a decent time? Under 3 hours? I dunno, I'm slow lol

The only person who can decide on a decent time is yourself! My PR is 2:29:41, but I've also done one that was 3:15 with my 52 year old father and that was a great time for him because he was able to finish at all! Just stay ahead of the sweepers and enjoy the run!

RunWinterGarden

Any tips on chafing? Body glide?

YES!!! Body Glide is very important! Also, depending on the race, they might have medical stations that have vaseline or other things to help with that, if you feel chafing starting take advantage of them.

obbycake

Ahh! I'm going in for my first half marathon this year too. Mine is October 12th!

Make sure to not burn yourself out before by overtraining as you're approaching the date.

clarkeje1

Any tips on chafing? Body glide?

YES!!! Body Glide is very important! Also, depending on the race, they might have medical stations that have vaseline or other things to help with that, if you feel chafing starting take advantage of them.

Thanks so much! My thighs got badly chafed during an 8 mile run so I really need to be careful as the runs get longer lol Pain!

SonicDeathMonkey80

The good thing about your first one is that no matter when you finish, you have a new PR that you can dedicate your training to beating the next time. A "good" finish time is relative to each runner's ability and training.

joecmoore1

I mostly walk, but I use compression shorts. Not sure if that would work for you, but it does for me.

m2the2ndPOWER

Pretty much what most people have said....don't start off too fast in the beginning since you have a ways to go! Take it in and enjoy the ride. Since its your first, your goal should be to finish, finish strong, and finish uninjured. That way next time you have a goal in mind and possibly one to PR

Don't introduce any new foods the week before the race (i.e. anything GI upsetting, high fiber, etc). Keep your diet simple and clean. If you haven't been training with Gu or gel, it probably wouldn't be advisable to start eating them the day of the race. Some people can have a little upset on the course and that can be messy.

Hydrate yourself very well the week before the race and weekend before, a little more then usual.

Wear an outfit race day you know you'll be comfortable in that you know doesn't chaff anywhere that you've trialed out already in long runs.

Don't buy new shoes the week before either. Most shoegear takes about a good couple weeks to a month to break in before your foot can adjust to it.

Have fun and good luck!

runrogerrun

Based on my experience from my first try at a 1/2 Marathon in 2012, do not drink too much water the day before. I drank 90 oz. or so and at mile 12, my body gave out because the water flushed out all my electrolytes. I made it to the finish line, but in an ambulance and 3 units of some solution. And I was going so good because I was under a 2 hour pace.

amyx593

I ran my first HM on June 2nd this year. I was never a runner AT ALL before, and trained for about 3 months leading up to the race, not getting super serious until 8 weeks prior. My time was 02:29:58! I had been hoping to finish under 3 hours.

After finishing, I went straight to the bathroom lines and began to get light-headed. I was barely able to open my Gatorade bottle because I was ready to pass out! I took a few sips and almost instantly felt better. I had some Gatorade along the way, but make sure you drink plenty during and at the finish line. I also had chocolate milk, water and jamba juice afterward

I had a GU energy gel at mile 8, which gave me a boost (whether mental or not). I'd recommend eating something an hour or two before the race. I had cereal with almond milk at home, and brought a banana to eat and Gatorade to sip on about an hour prior.

Oh, another thing..... make sure to use the bathroom before you start!