How many miles do you run before you decide to apply body glide? I have never chaffed except the HRM strap connection.

How many miles do you run before you decide to apply body glide? I have never chaffed except the HRM strap connection.

I use it for anything over about 9. Unless it's extra hot and humid and then I use it for anything over about 5.

Yeah, totally depends on the temperature. In the summer anything over 4 miles. In the winter probably anything over 8 to 10.

So I am a month and a week away from my very first Half Marathon, I am getting excited and nervous at the same time. Let me give you a brief background in my training.

I started my Half Marathon training pretty early, I started last year ( I know pretty early) but since I had issues with my knees prior to the training I wanted to make sure I gave myself enough time to heal in case knees were going to be an issue. I followed the Hal Higdon Novice 2 Half Marathon training guide. During the training I managed to run 10k and 15k races. Right before the holidays I was able to complete 10 mile run of the program I still had the 11 and 12 mile runs.

But than came the holidays and even though I did run during the holidays just never had the time to get those long runs in. Fast forward to the the new year, I ask Hal on his Facebook page if I should repeat the Half Marathon training program and he said no, that maybe I should start with his Marathon Novice 2 training which starts you at 8 miles for the long run (but not complete the whole program). I started two weekends ago and have already done the 8 mile run, this Saturday I am scheduled to do 9 miles.

So based on my calculations, I will get up to the 12 mile long run and than I will have one week to taper.

1. So how should I fuel prior to the race? Do you carbo load for a Half Marathon?
2. Any advice you could give me will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Matt Fitgerald's book on nutrition for the marathon and half marathon was money well spent for me. The book includes nutritional advice as well as a training plan for the Half and the Full Mary. Even if you skip the training plan, the nutritional advice is valuable.

Case in point - Fitzgerald points out that regular users of caffeine should do a caffeine fast that last for two weeks because even a 5 day fast won't clear the system. I haven't seen that in any other source.

He also discusses the value of carboloading for the Half, different approaches to carboloading, as well as the value of fat loading.

Hard to beat that sort of info for $9.99 (Kindle price).

it might sound silly, but I found that drinking TONS of water the week leading up to the race helped me out a LOT. There were some races that i'd go out drinking one night or just not drink enough water, and it was a noticeble more pleasant race the times I drank plenty of water leading up to the race!

Helpful post! Thanks!

I'm behind in my training --- six weeks left -- eek!

I've been babying an injury. (I've done 8 miles previously, so I'm hoping to be able to get right back up there without overdoing it.)

Crap, so when I run a 10 mile, do I have to think about giving up my caffeine again? What a miserable week that was.

Case in point - Fitzgerald points out that regular users of caffeine should do a caffeine fast that last for two weeks because even a 5 day fast won't clear the system. I haven't seen that in any other source.

He also discusses the value of carboloading for the Half, different approaches to carboloading, as well as the value of fat loading.

Hard to beat that sort of info for $9.99 (Kindle price).

I'll give up my coffee when then claw the mug from my cold, dead hands.

You've gotten some amazing advice here!! I wish I had been more diligent asking for tips before I ran my first half so kudos to you! Something to keep in mind is that what works for one person may not necessarily work for you. You don't have time to "test" everything so be smart about what you implement and when from this point on. Things like body glide are no brainers; because whether or not you would have "needed" it, if you use it you can't regret it--no side affects that I've ever heard of. Also, what I would think about is what your fitness level is in comparison to the people giving advice. Some of the commenters are elite athletes having run (seemingly) countless distance events. They might also be in optimal physical shape. This advice can be priceless because they're obviously pros, but they've had years to perfect their training. If you're used to higher ratio of carbs or caffeine in your diet it's probably not the best time to make those adjustments. You're so close to your race you don't want to do anything that makes you resent the process or potentially negatively affect your race. For me, I am about 20 pounds over weight and I have run 3 half marathons (all in the last 4.5 months). I have not deprivation trained (not taking fuel) and I have not caffeine fasted specific to running. These aren't things I would want to try within the final weeks before my next half. For me I would rather have a few things I can depend on (and possibly not "need") if they make me feel more confident. I realize this is becoming a novel so...

TLDR; be confident in your training, test anything new weeks prior to your race--NOTHING new on race day (I mean nothing; wear underwear you have run your long run in, socks, shoes, hat, sun glasses, etc., etc.) Pace yourself to finish strong, it is 13.1 miles. Enjoy the race, you'll never run your first half marathon ever again! ????????????

I'll pass along John Bingham's advice/goal:

"Finish the same day that you start."

Don't do "junk miles" trying to improve your pace before the big race. If they aren't part of your programs, don't do them. Running on exhausted muscles rather than rested (but trained) muscles is not a recipe for fun.

As for the Fun...have fun and smile for the cameras. Particularly for your first one.

Good luck!

"junk miles" is a phrase that I detest as any running is going to have some kind of benefit.

That being said, I agree with how you are using it in this context. Basically, just make sure you are adhering to a plan, and if it contains a taper, do the taper, don't add miles in during the last week or two to see if you can improve your fitness.