How do I run a half marathon?

Use your training runs closer to the race to determine what to wear. You will get a feel as to what works and what doesn't. That is what I use all training runs for, trying a new piece of clothing to see if it chafes, or a new supplement to see if it works or upsets my stomach. Also I agree with some of the other people posting here - do nothing different on race day than you have for all your training runs. If it worked in training it will work for the race. That includes food , hydration, clothing. Don't try out a new gel or a new pair of running shoes on race day. You will do great. Have fun- that is the main thing. Enjoy the experience.

Runner from Michigan here....

I've been running for about 2 years now and run outside all year - I HATE the treadmill and avoid it at all costs. I am currently training for my 6th and 7th half marathons. I am running one in September and then the Detroit Free Press half in October (3rd time for this event).

I don't know what the weather will be like further north in October but having experience running in December/January/February in Detroit I can give you a good perspective on cold weather running.

You will be surprised by how quickly you warm up so you definitely want to wear layers. I usually run with a sleevless shirt under a long sleeve shirt with a zipper jacket over it. A few miles into the run when I get warm I can take the jacket off and tie it around my waist for the rest of the run. Also I run with gloves on (the back of which are also good for a drippy nose - just be sure to wash them with the rest of your running clothes . Unless it's well below freezing and very windy I've even found that I need to take my gloves off at some point during the run because my hands get so warm. I will put them in the pockets of the zipper jacket tied around my waist so I don't lose them. After the run is over you will want them both back on as you will get cold again as your body starts to cool down.

Feel free to add me to your friend list - I love running friends :flowerforyou: Look at my profile and decide if we are a good match. I and am happy to help with running suggestions - Michigan or otherwise.

Some decent advice above, but here is what is going to happen. You have a plan, hopefully a good one (I prefer Hal Higdon's). Stick to it. A good plan is proven and you won't need much else in terms of distance advice than it gives you. Biggest mistakes I've seen people make is going too far too soon and/or running too fast. Stick to your plan and listen to your body. Make sure you take the rest days your plan provides, they are needed.

Make sure you do at least some of your training at the same time of day as your race. As long as you live near where you train you will find out what works for you. How fast you heat up, do you need a jacket, hat, gloves, leggings or shorts, etc. I love running cold, others hate it. Do what works for YOU. If you do need like gloves (very handy on cold mornings) but you won't need them for the full run, buy cheap cotton ones from a store and toss them at an aid station. Some races will have them on sale at their expos. Sweatshirt needed? Great time to clean out your closet.

What happens before the race? You get nervous. What happens during the race? You get excited, then run too fast and get tired, then get excited again as you get near the finish. What happens after the race? You wear a grin from ear to ear and brag for days/weeks/months.

Most important part of the race.....enjoy yourself!

Oh boy... where to begin? You have a plan and know how to train... Awesome. Planning is the biggest part of a successful race. Here are a few other tips I have gleamed and taught to my clinics over the last few years.

First off... wear what you have trained in. Race day is not the time to try something new. The same applies to your diet 48 hours before a race.

So advice Tip #1 - Go with what you know!

Moving along... Tip #2 - Get familiar with the course. If you can get there and walk it, cycle it or jog it before hand... that will be a good visualization aid and help you know where you are on the course. Visualizing yourself cross the finish line is a good thing!

Tip #3 - Use the bathroom before race time... once and then again 10 minutes later. It cuts down on using the facilities during a race. Having run some pretty major races, I know that the bathroom lineups during a race can take up to 10 minutes per...

Tip #4 - Find out what they are serving along the course and train with it... some sponsors use Gatorade or PowerAde...some use bizarre stuff. The alternative is to bring your own. Nothing worse than finding out that Mystery Energy Drink doesn't sit well in your stomach at mile 8.

Tip #5 - Pack your bag and check it twice... did you miss anything (like shoes??? and don't laugh a physiotherapist friend of mine forgot her running shoes during a race and had to run in her beat up old street shoes) Shoes, shorts, shirt, bib, Ipod, Garmin, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, gels\sportsbeans, chaffing protection, post race bag etc...

Tip #6 - Realistically evaluate your abilities and enter into the correct corral. As a runner nothing ticks me off more than tripping over that 3 hour finisher who's in the 1:45 corral. These folks slow themselves down and everyone around them. They can actually be dangerous. Be real!

Tip #7 - Govern your pace and don't get sucked into someone else's race. I go into most races knowing my splits and having my times written on a sleeve. For beginning runners it isn't uncommon to run really fast and burn out before the half way mark. By knowing the pace you need to be doing and sticking to it, you'll have a better outcome.

Tip #8 - The little wood sticks with goo on them are not for eating. Its Vaseline and its meant for chaffing. As someone who has volunteered at races, I can attest to the fact that someone figures its honey or some other gel to aid their performance... the looks on their faces is priceless after they figure it out.

Tip #8 - Drink a small bottle of water before race time (300-500 Ml.) May as well start the race hydrated... you might not see a water station for a couple of miles (I ran one race that didn't have a water station until mile 6)

Tip #9 - Sleep and be rested. Those last few days before race time? Your training is done. There is nothing you can do at this point in time that will improve your performance more than rest. If you need to blow off a little energy... keep it on the slow side and watch your step. A friend of mine broke a bone in his foot two days before Boston (which was a lucky thing as it turns out... another story and I'm sure you've heard it). #BostonStrong!!!

Tip #10 - Don't overthink it...just do it. I know too many people who get a really bad sleep the night before. Put it to bed and get some rest. You'll do great!

I could probably think of a couple dozen more to add to this.

Good Luck!

Some of the advice seems odd. By the time you run the race, you should have already run that distance at least once. So, that why I say, do NOTHING different. Just do what you do in training. The only thing I agree with is barely run at all, not taper, just do a couple short 3 miles runs the week of the race to let your body rest from your training. Other than that, it's just another training session. Don't do anything different.

the day of my first half the furthest i had ever run was 10 miles. i did just fine with the 13 however i think being consistent with training had something to do with it.

OP: obviously the closer you get to race day the cooler it's going to get so my advice would be to get out and run in the early AM hopefully it will mimic the temps the day of the race. my first half was june 1st so i can't really offer advice with clothing (and i live in VA).

as for staying hydrated if you can find out what sports drink the race will have at the water stops try drinking that during your training. i wish i had done this on mine because whatever it was they served i hated and i had to choke the crap down which sorta threw me off for a second or two.

i didn't bother with body glide or anything like that. however i always trained in the clothes i knew i was going to run in right down to my socks.

let's see oh i brought a gatoraide gummy (in my pocket) with me and had that around mile 9. assuming your race has porta potties do not stop at the first few stops - you'll end up waiting in line. wait as long as you can (i stopped at mile 4; the line was not bad at all).

if you can run/ride the course do it or at least make sure you are training on the right terrain.

pace yourself since it's your first don't worry about time worry about finishing.

have fun. find the camera guy on the course.

most important do not ever wear something new the day of the race - nothing not even a hat. go the bathroom before the race starts.