Non-Motivational Supporters

chelciebrown07

So i've been training for my first half marathon(in three weeks, yikes!) with my brother in law and my boyfriend. Both have run half marathons before, and i'm finding them terrible running partners. Before starting my training i'd never run longer than 5 miles, so i'm pretty keyed up and nervous and excited about doing 13.1 in race mode. Sadly both of them have very blah attitudes about the whole thing. When we talk about our training program I get, "Yeah it's okay, we can do whatever your training program says, i'll run the 13 miles no problem no matter what." Or when I questions them about if I should use goo's, if I should use the water stations ect, the response is always, "its only 13 miles, you can run that no problem, don't worry about the little things."

I'd like to chat with some people who are still excited about running a half, and who won't trivialize my achievements! How about everyone out there, are you going to use goo's? Are you dreading mile 10?

ZenInTexas

Running a half is an incredible achievement and something to be super proud of!! Definitely one of my proudest moments of my whole life was crossing that finish line. I would not worry about Gu or anything like that during a half, it's not really necessary. However definitely take advantage of the water stations. Practice slowing and walking for a few seconds on your training runs to mimic going through them. The only mile I really dreaded was the last one, just because I had only run up to 12 in my training. What training program are you following?

daj150

First off, they are terrible for being such downers. Running a 5k is awesome in my books. If it's your goal, and you train for it, and you complete (assuming your goal is completion), then rock on! Success is different for everyone, so don't ever let someone else dictate how you feel about your own successes.

Depending on your training, you may not dread any miles. For example, my first half marathon I did the RW beginner plan, so my max distance was 12 miles. Around mile 10 I started feeling a little more sluggish, by mile 12 I was going full steam from the adrenaline rush of know I had just over a mile left. For my most recent training, I followed the advanced plan, which goes up to a 17 mile long run. Therefore, my last half I didn't dread anything....I just looked forward to destroying my personal best with a new personal best in time. As you can see...2 different goals from those races...my first half's I wanted to complete, now I want to get timing...in another couple years I hope to compete. In my mind, every race I do is a major accomplishment; whether it's a 5k or a triathlon.

In regards to water stops...how do you train now? If you run with a water belt and only need that amount for you longest run, then run with the water belt and ignore the stops. If you train with a belt and your water consumption is based on standard water positions at races, then you use the water stations. OR...stop at a water station if you feel thirsty...otherwise, go to the next one. There should never be more than 2 miles between stations.

If you train with GU's, then use them. If you have never used them before, less than 3 weeks out isn't really the time to start. Chances are whatever you are doing now is what you should do for race day. Most things I will try out on race day...but when it comes to nutrition or hydration, I don't risk it. Oh, I don't ever change shoes either for race day. Everything else for me is fair game.

SonicDeathMonkey80

Yanno, you just gotta do what works for you. You'll eventually learn what you need and don't need. My first half, I treated every aid station like a Golden Corral (I love pretzels and M&Ms - don't judge me). Fast forward to now, and I run the whole thing on an empty stomach. It's probably difficult for them to empathize with you because once you run one, it gets easier and easier. Gu on a half is mostly placebo. You might get a kick from the little bit of caffeine, but that's nothing a pre-race coffee can't get you. On your first, I would walk through the water/food stations, just don't be a pig about it. You're going to PR no matter what, so who cares

RunnerElizabeth

Yay for half marathons! Good for you for training for your first!

So one of the halfs I run has 7, 000 runners. Certain parts of the course can get quite congested, bridges and aid stations. I have to run over the bridges, but I avoid aid stations by wearing my nathan trail mix hydration belt. If you haven't been training with a belt, then you'll probably have to have some water from some of the stations.

My training partner likes to eat at mile 5 and mile 10. So I've been doing this with her. I think gu is the most vile substance on earth, so if you haven't tried it, don't try it for the first time in your race. I like honey stinger chews. I carry my own for the race. If I feel my energy waning, I have a couple. I like to carry my own stuff. It's who I am.

My partner and I do divergent plans. My runs usually are longer, instead of making her feel bad, I run her home and continue past our condos to finish my run. Or I start first and pick her up.

As far as dreading mile 10 goes, I didn't in my first because I trained up to 13 miles which helped my confidence. In my second, I only trained up to 10 and had pneumonia and was out for 4 weeks of training and my race fell apart at mile 11 (still my pr). Because of the fiasco of my second half, I trained to 15 for #3 but I'm trying to shave significant time off. Do I think everyone needs to train over 10 for a half? No. But it helps me, so I do it.

Anyway, good luck and have fun!

diadia1

OP, wow. good luck but i am sure you will be successfull. You set up your mind for it then GO FOR it!

Others thanks for the answers/tips. I am actually thinking about running a half-marathon for spring 2014. So far i can do a 10K and the hydration is a problem i am always thursty. so your tips will give me an idea how i should train with hydration.

chelciebrown07

Thanks everyone for the responses! I know I should be focused on myself and disregard the debbie downers, but its a struggle sometimes. It was especially demotivating when yesterday on the trails some kid actually stopped and made fun of me while I ran past. Enough to give anyone a complex about their running form.

I actually use the schedule the fitness trainer at my gym suggested. It's 1 long run, 2 3/4 distance at a faster pace runs, and 1 day of intervals a week. I also do weight lifting on the alternating days for a little cross training. It seems to be working pretty well so far, but I had to take a break due to a foot injury, so i'm pretty behind for the race coming up. My longest run so far has been 9 miles, but i'll be able to get to 11 the weekend before the half, I hope that its enough. From what i've read online and around the forums though I think i'll be able to do it, 2 more miles should be more of a mental problem than a physical one at that point.

I'll probably hold off on the Gu like you guys suggest, I definitely don't want to get a stomach ache mid race. Water right now has been just before and after my runs, because I run along the trails at the edge of town and don't have access to water. I've definitely considered using my camelbak, but i've been to worried about how it might bounce or weigh me down. I'll try to stop at the stations for water, though it seems so messy and chaotic.

My goal for this half is definitely just to complete it! I love to run though, so i'm hoping by the next race in the spring i'll be able to get a good finishing time. Is it just me or is everyone just completely flabbergasted when they see the race times of the top finishers at 5 minutes miles? Now that is some serious running.

daj150

Winner of the Rock 'n' Roll Philly Half did 4:33/mile...second place did like 4:40-something. Insane!

thepetiterunner

It's hard when you're surrounded by less enthusiastic, or seemingly non-supportive people. I say do what you need to do to be ready for the race both physically and mentally. Sometimes the mental part is the hardest part to "train".

If you're interested in trying different foods, do them now on your practice training runs. Everyone is different and everyone has different tolerances. I absolutely cannot run 13.1 on an empty stomach. I need to refuel around miles 4, 7, and 10 to make it through feeling good. Otherwise I bonk out around 8-9 on a empty stomach, but that's just me.

I'm sure you're going to have an amazing time - your first half is a memorable experience. Focus on your enjoyment of it, and don't listen to what others might say. This is YOUR RACE. Run it the way you want to