Pointers?? 5 days from must 1st Half....

lculian

I'm just 5 days away from my 1st Half Marathon!!!!! :happy: I'm excited and nervous. Maybe more nervous than excited :ohwell: My training certainly wasn't ideal, but I did train. My longest prerace run was 11.5 miles, I'm hoping that will be enough. I have good shoes, some GU chomps and am debating whether I should carry a water bottle.

I'm in need of any tips you have on food for the final days, sleep needs and how to calm race day jitters.

I had originally wanted to finish in 2 hours 15 minutes, but now I'm feeling like just finishing is going to be an accomplishment. How do you set a goal and feel good about yourself even if you don't make it?

Did I mention I'm so excited I can hardly concentrate on anything other than how to prepare for the race!

Thanks for the guidance:flowerforyou:

BTW the title should read 5 days from my 1st Half... :blushing:

KimertRuns13_1

First off, you trained.. you will do great!! Good luck!

I started with my "carb" load on Thursday. I didn't really load up a ton but I had baked potato, chicken or a pasta dish (whole wheat) and protein the 2 days or so prior to my race. Did it help? I honestly don't know but my main goal was to eat foods that I knew would not cause my stomach to turn on me and become my worst enemy! lol

I always carry water (Nathan handheld) with me on runs over 5 miles. I also put a Nuun tablet in my water.
I eat Honeystinger chews (or Gu chomps) around mile 5 and then every couple miles after I will chew a couple.

Get plenty of sleep! I know it is easier said than done...been there! Make sure you arrive to the race site in time to check your bags should you have any and find your pace corral if that is also an issue and to use the portapotties!!

Most of all just go in it to finish. Time goals are great but don't let yourself get caught up on that just in case something doesn't go as planned on race day. Finishing is huge! Good luck! I can't wait to hear all about i!!!

lbigham1

That's soo awesome! - I don't have any advice because I haven't been brave enough to try a 1/2 marathon.....yet. I wish you all the best. You'll do great!

godblessourhome

you'll do great!

my only advice is don't change the type of socks you have been training in. i did that for the one i walked in june and i had the hugest blisters (i was thinking fluffy and thick would be like a cushion on my feet - not so much).

LisaWeir74

This might be TMI but I try not to eat a lot of fiber the day before the race. I have run in 4 1/2 marathons and the excitement plus running so far tend to make my stomach do strange things. Also, bring some kleenex on the course with you. I learned that my nose might start running which is annoying or I had to go to the restroom & there was no toilet paper in the porta potty.

My goal for the 1st race was to run across the finish line in an upright position with a smile on my face!! I had no time goal.....just have fun!!

GOOD LUCK!!

jaxCarrie

I'm running my first 1/2 in 3 weeks....I'm interested to see the responses of the seasoned half'ers (or marathoners!)

running_mom

I did my third half this past Sunday. I didn't carry water. They had fluid stations every 2 miles. And I'm not one to use GU. I don't really like it. But I did eat pasta the night before for dinner. I got a good night's rest. The week before I also took it easy. I went for walks and rode the stationary bike. Nothing too much!

My first half I finished in 2 hrs and 30 mins. Second one was in 2 hrs and 40 min (no training). This last one I finished in 2 hrs and 50 min (I hurt my knee so bad I couldn't bend it. I looked like forrest gump limoing the last 3 miles!)

Make sure to stretch. I just did everything that I usually do before I run. That way my body was used to it : )

Good Luck!

adepew

I would not carry water. There will be drink stations along the way if you need to have a swig here and there. Carrying a water water will get tiresome after a while, and you want to feel relaxed and not have extra baggage. I don't know what your weather will be like, but don't overdress either. Your body will get really warm, no matter how cold it is outside and you don't want to have extra clothes! I was wearing a sweatshirt during my half marathon and the whole time it was driving me crazy! The less you carry and wear, the more free you are to run!!

Great job on your training, you will be FINE!!!!

LisaWeir74

I always wear a sweatshirt that I can just drop along the way......

iuangina

Great job on the training runs! I've done 5 1/2s and 1 full. 11.5 miles is awesome for a training run leading up to a 1/2. I think my longest runs leading up to the 1/2s were 10 milers. Anyway, I wouldn't carry water if there are water stations every 2 miles or so (especially if you didn't train carrying a water bottle). General rule, never try anything new on race day. As far as what to eat, I wouldn't eat anything that you didn't eat before your last long run. I would generally stay away from veggies (esp. salad and spinach) (the runners s@&!$ during a race are the worst thing in the world. You don't want to waste time in the porta potty :laugh:).

This may be TMI, but there is nothing worse than getting in the shower after a long run and feeling the burn of chaffed skin. Make sure you use some body glide on anything that may rub your skin. I would also wear whatever you did your 11.5 mile run in because you know how that will rub when you run.

My goal for the first race was to cross the finish line. If you've never run that far before, you don't want to feel like you are a failure because you didn't meet a time goal. You will have just run 13.1 miles and you should feel awesome with that accomplishment and ready to tackle another one (with a different goal). If you go in with a time goal to your first race, you may disappoint yourself and never do it again.

Good luck!

Kilter

Easy pointers for a half...

Relax. You've trained, you will cross the line, everything else is gravy.
Pee before you start. Then pee again. Possibly even a third time. Nerves + hydration = peeing.
Hydrate in the DAYS before the race. Not the night before, a few days before.
Try and get some sleep the night before (we can all pause for laughter here).
DO NOT go out hard because you are excited and feel great! Relax, run the pace you've trained to do.
Motivate yourself along the way however the heck works! Follow that cute guy/girl in front of you, stay ahead of the funny looking dude with the headphones behind you, challenge yourself to get to the next light pole... use whatever works.
Have fun. First half marathon... wooo hooo!

Good luck, have fun, kick *kitten*. Tell us ALL about it after.

S

LisaWeir74

Sorry, I keep remembering things....at about mile 11 on my first half, I felt like my feet were going to fall off. I overheard another girl tell her friend "Just keep moving your arms, your feet will follow." I focus on that now when I hit that point.

lculian

Wow! Thank you for all of the encouragement and the tips!! You guys are awesome

arc918

As far as water, I hate being slowed down at crowded water stops, so I often start races with a regular old 16 oz plastic water bottle. I can either toss during the race or refill on the fly. Make life easy and you can toss it any time.

Other tips:

1) bib on the front
2) don't go out too fast
3) line up at the appropriate spot in the start corral (= towards the back unless you are fast)
4) don't go out too fast
5) have fun
6) have fun

lculian

Ok so, I'm gonna focus on not going out to fast and having fun:bigsmile:

Thank you!

myleanne1990

Biggest pointer I can give you......HAVE FUN!!!

I just did a 1/2 in San Francisco had a great time, but most important i had fun.

i don't carry a water belt during the races, usually water stations are enough.

If you've put in the time, then you're ready!