Half Marathon tips?!

mandy2128

I am running my first half marathon next month!! I'm really excited. I've been training for a long time now. I feel that I'll cover the distance fine...but does anyone have tips? I was offered some sort of an energy gel during registration. I declined. Do you find those necessary?! Super helpful?

mandy2128

I just realized I posted this under the wrong board. Oops!

SusanUW83

I've done 3 half marathons in the last 3 months and 1 10-mile run, so am returning to longer distance running after a long layoff. Suggestions: don't eat anything you haven't tried during one of your long runs. Gel works well, but for some it's disastrous. If you get some during the race, I think eating some and then drinking water helps dilute it a little in your stomach. I tried gel beans and blocks but the liquid + water seems to work better. First two halfs I didn't carry water and wondered why people did, but after not having enough water for the slow folks at the 6 mile point yesterday, it might be worth taking a small bottle if you can carry it on your belt. I ran near a person yesterday who carried a set of keys in one hand and a water bottle in the other and thought she was crazy. I use a small towel in one hand to wipe sweat, but I've done that all the years I've been running so I'm used to it. I have a amphipod waist belt/pack where I can carry a cell phone, towel, blister pack, money, key, and a gel pack. I will put one of the water bottles on for the next race in a month. If it's time for new shoes, get them now. Even the same model may have places that rub wrong and a race is not time to find out. If you want to email to ask more questions, I'm happy to answer. I've been running (slowly) for 40 some years, raced a marathon in my 30s, and now find it very satisfying to complete the longer races.