First Half Marathon!

rjs3455

Hi all. I am currently training for my first Half Marathon that will take place in September. I am looking for anyone else that is currently training or will be training. Just wondering if anyone as any advice for a novice like me. Any suggestions on how to deal with the higher mileage? I have tried the gels... they are horrible... like eating frosting. Has anyone tried other forms of food to eat after you reach 6 miles or so?

Starkle09

i would suggest a running partner or group for the longer runs if u can...sometimes having someone along the way makes it so much easier once u get into higher mileage. best of luck to u

agleckle

When you get done with the run, don't stop moving! Just keep walking around to cool down... My first half marathon, I stopped completely and stood around for a few minutes thinking that I would make my legs feel good but it was actually very painful!

Starkle09

When you get done with the run, don't stop moving! Just keep walking around to cool down... My first half marathon, I stopped completely and stood around for a few minutes thinking that I would make my legs feel good but it was actually very painful!

so true!!! learned that lesson the hard way!

cynfullcyn

i will be doing one in october. when you get tired and feel you need to stop don't stop and rest, walk instead it is much harder to start running after you have stopped than if you are walking and start running again. as far as recovery depending on your training now how fast you recover. how long have you been training for?

beckystephens

Try Clif Shot Blocks for energy - and train with them now. U do not want to do anything different come race day.

rjs3455

I have been training for 4 weeks now. Yesterday I ran 6 miles for the first time! Thats when I gave the gel a try.

SavCal71

I have to disagree with cyn. I find myself having longer endurance, and a faster overall pace, if I take walk breaks. On the half marathons I've done, my "plan" was to run 13 min, walk 2. Repeat. I mostly stuck to that ... sometimes going a bit longer if I felt I was in a good spot, or sometimes taking a walk break sooner. And my time on my first half was significantly lower than I my goal.

I found it helpful to have a written out training plan. It was pretty consistent with mileage increases. Once I'd planned it, there wasn't really ever a question of "how many miles should I do today?". It was "I must do XX miles today." Worked well for me.

cynfullcyn

it's a good start but you need to work all your muscles not just being able to run the distance. you will need the smaller muscles to help the bigger muscles when they are tired. my first half i trained for 6 months.

make sure the day before your race you eat carbs and the day of the race you can do a pb banana sandwich before its light enough and will settle fast have it a few hours before. and have a few gu with you and take it on your run and use it when you feel you need it

SavCal71

And do trial runs with GU or beans or whatever you choose. You don't want to use those things or eat your pre-race food for the first time the day of your race.

jeffrainwater

Hi there,

You have plenty of options for nutrition when training for this distance. Since you don't like gels; you can try chews (Honey Stinger, Gu Chomps, Clif Shot Bloks) or solids such as Clif bars or Bonk Breakers. You can also try Jelly Belly's Sport Beans. All are designed for the same purpose which is to feed you calories and to maintain energy level.

How is your hydration? Fluid replacement is vital at this distance but equally important is electrolyte replacement (sodium and potassium). Again, you have several options to accomplish this and the preferred option always seems to be some type of sports drink... Accelerade, Gatorade, Heed (to name a few). The recommendation is to alternate water and sports drink during each long run to maintain both fluid intake AND electrolyte levels. Feel free to contact me with any other questions. Enjoy your training and best of luck!

casey_when_u_go

I'm doing my 2nd Half Marathon in September, just started training for it last week
I don't plan to eat at all during the race, energy drinks will be fine.
When I'm training I don't take water with me but I do make sure there is some in the car for when I'm finished. That is assuming the run is no more than an hour or so, otherwise I would take an energy drink. I guess that is ok here in the North of England most of the time, if you are somewhere hot, maybe not.
I know some people take gummy bear type sweets out with them when out on longer runs, instead of gels.
After my first HM I had a very long walk back to the hotel, and I'm sure that helped a lot in terms of muscle soreness - I barely had any
Good luck with your training, feel free to add me!

gingerfoxxx

I am also training for my first in Sept! I have been making my boyfriend join me on the long runs. He rides a bike next to me, and then i can strap my water bottle/gatorade onto the bike and not have to carry it. Also i am obviously a brat. As a fellow first timer, i have no advice and would love to hear from veterans!

I did learn, however, to wear sunblock. not just the spf 30 in make up, but the real deal. i got a wicked burn this weekend.

My biggest fear right now is that i throw up in the middle of the race. :-/

SavCal71

Let me add that it is not a good idea to run a half marathon in the morning, then board a plane at noon for a 4+hour flight ...

rjs3455

Thank you for all the info everyone! I excited to try all this good advise and see what works best for me!