My first half marathon

Hi everyone

This last Saturday I participated in my very first half marathon. I've been running for 8.5 months and I'm so proud of how far I've come.

I've posted about it on my blog with some pics if anyone is interested!!

Kate xx

http://katehibberd.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-first-half-marathon-in-bag.html

Replies

  • Awesome!

    I just started running this past November and will be running my first 1/2 Marathin in October. I am pumped and nervous at the same time.
  • kate4j27
    kate4j27 Posts: 15
    Thats great Amanda. Great feeling of achievement. Hope you have fun!
  • I want to start running, but never done it before. Any sugguestions?
  • cheddle
    cheddle Posts: 102 Member
    Such an epic accomplishment - both physically and mentally a challenge! My longest stint is 9km hehe im hoping to work towards half-marathon, and then full =-)
  • andreafischer1982
    andreafischer1982 Posts: 36 Member
    I want to start running, but never done it before. Any sugguestions?

    I just started a few weeks ago.
    with a mix of running and walking and i get better every week.
    I take my iphone with motivationg music to my runs and i wear comfortabel runing shoes. Start slowley and have fun.

    I really like the runtastic app which tracks your way and gives you details about your run afterwards
  • Rpeat1
    Rpeat1 Posts: 49 Member
    Well done! Comrades next year? ;-)

    I sometimes get the chaffing, especially in warm weather, where my shorts rub my legs (and...er...other places). Wearing lycra shorts rather than racing or baggy shorts can help the insides of the legs. You can wear them underneath normal shorts too. And/or smother anywhere that rubs with a mass of vaseline.
  • CONGRATS!! A friend and I signed up for the Honolulu Marathon in Dec and just started free running clinics..I'm nervous but just want to cross that line!!
  • Rpeat1
    Rpeat1 Posts: 49 Member
    I want to start running, but never done it before. Any sugguestions?

    A lot of people have had great success using a 'Couch to 5k' programme. You can see them online or download from app stores.
  • Start slow and go for lengthening your time (if thinking about long distance). I can do 35 mins fine, but my marathon running clinic has us do 2 one hour runs at a pace where you can talk..it just kicks my butt mentally..I see the time go past 35 and always thing.."I'm done" but I'm learning to just continue and work on my breathing.
  • thebigcb
    thebigcb Posts: 2,210 Member
    Hi everyone

    This last Saturday I participated in my very first half marathon. I've been running for 8.5 months and I'm so proud of how far I've come.

    I've posted about it on my blog with some pics if anyone is interested!!

    Kate xx

    http://katehibberd.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-first-half-marathon-in-bag.html

    Best of luck, someday maybe I will as well. Hope you enjoy it
  • kate4j27
    kate4j27 Posts: 15
    @ Rpeat 1 - Comrades is a very long way away LOL! I know a couple of people who've done it but WOW.. 89km.. haha!

    In the beginning I would literally run for one minute and walk for three. And I built up from that.

    I don't enjoy running so much without my iPod, it really helps me a lot! So motivating
  • EdTheGinge
    EdTheGinge Posts: 1,616 Member
    Awesome read. I had my 1st half on 24.03.13 after properly running for 3months and got my 2nd this sunday, which I'm sure will be harder. Why is it that after all the training something creeps up on us on race day which makes things harder, in your case chaffing and in my case both feet felt like the souls were burning from about 4miles in.

    I'm sure you'll break 2.20 next time. Out of interest why were you up at 3am and 5am ?
  • kate4j27
    kate4j27 Posts: 15
    @ Ed - That's great! Good luck for your 2nd one. Who knows why something has to come along and make things difficult for us! Very frustrating! But I will never ever not wear longer running pants again! How come do you think your souls were burning? Do you have good shoes?
    The reason for the early times was because the race started at 6am, and is one of the biggest races in South Africa. There were 16000 people doing the half, so as you can imagine you need to be there really early to get parking and walk to the start. I also like to be there earlier so I can stretch and get a nice place toward the front of the group. AND, I live about 40 minutes from where the event was held :)
  • EdTheGinge
    EdTheGinge Posts: 1,616 Member
    SIXTEEN THOUSAND, SIXTEEN THOUSAND geeeeeeeeeez and there I was complaining about 1100 lol. In that case it all makes sense, running through South Africa must be awesome.

    I think my socks might of bunched up a little causing a small ripple but enough to anger my feet and I reckon I tightened my shoes up too much as I didn't want them to be too loose. From one extreme to the other hey. Yeah all good on the shoe front.
  • kate4j27
    kate4j27 Posts: 15
    Hahah! South Africa is a beautiful place and the route we did for the Two Oceans was amazing, really breath- taking.