White Rock Lake Dallas Half Marathon

I'm doing my first half-marathon in March. Please let me know anything you learn and any advice you have!!

I am currently training for my sixth half marathon. It's my favorite distance to race! I don't use any specific foods to fuel me. If you do your long runs on Saturdays, eat carbs Thursday or Friday night to fuel you. You will definitely need your carbs. Have you been running very long? It's so important to have the right shoe to avoid injury. Go to your local running store (a specialty store like Fleet Feet, not big box like ****'s) where they can measure you, analyze your gait, and get you in the right shoe for you. I tend to overpronate and run in the Brooks Glycerin. I have also had the Adrenaline.

Do you have a training plan yet? I like to follow Hal Higdon's. Since this is your first I suggest the novice training program. You don't have to follow it to a 'T', but it is good to have a guide, especially for the long run distances. It would also be helpful to run a 5k or 10k as part of your training program to get your legs used to turning over faster. A general rule of thumb is to never increase your weekly mileage by 10%. This also helps prevent injury. You can experiment with energy gels and drinks to see if they help. Beware that they can cause stomach upset Lots of people like the Gu or Hammer gels or chomps. I like Sports Beans and maybe Gatorade.

Good luck! Crossing that finish line is such a great feeling! Mine is April 10 and I can't wait!

The foods that really helped me whilst in training for endurance events are mostly of the green leafy variety. I made Broccoli a daily addiction. Apparently dark greens assist in respiratory functions, and I can certainly agree with that.

I personally wear Newtons, however, I've been known to rock some Mizunos and Asics from time to time. The important thing to remember is your feets are unique and beautiful snowflakes. What works for us may certainly not work for you. Get down to a RunTex or some kind of store that specializes in running gear. Let them check your feets and gait and they will give you a good understanding of your unique needs (pronation, supination, heel striker, forefoot runner, blah blah blah). I have a neutral gait and a midfoot strike whereas my fiance supinates and is a heel striker. Everyone has their schtick. Don't take people's "one size fits all" advice, it might hurt you :-(.

If Brooks work for you, I highly recommend them. I have friends that get way more mileage out of theirs than I do with mine.

The best lesson I ever learned was to listen to my body. Feed it when it's hungry, adjust when it hurts. Shin splints? Slow your roll, try to focus on not pushing off with your toes. Find your magic gait that allows you to settle into runner-bliss. When you're stiff, try out some dynamic stretches. Never ever underestimate the value of warming up and always remember to "go" before you go because that slight notion will turn into a civil infraction if you ignore it :-).

Happy training! BTW -- I agree, Hal's kind of rad.

Gu always upset my tummy, but it sure is effective. I like the Vanilla Bean one. I'm easy though, I get by just using maple syrup.

Brendan Brazier's book "Thrive" has a lot of recipes for veg/natural ingredient based gels and nourishment for long runs/workouts if you'd like to try something a little more DIY. His plan is a little extreme-vegan, but he's kind of awesome.

I got my Newtons at Luke's Locker -- I couldn't be happier. They have a great chain going.

I had the same issues with my feet. I think I also got a stress fracture in one of them doing the 2008 Portland Marathon :-(. I picked up Vibram FiveFingers to wear around the office. If you can get over looking like a freak in a 3-piece suit, they really help strengthen all the little connective tissues and such.