First half marathon in 3 weeks - any tips?!
fall_away
Posts: 7 Member
Hello! This is my first ever post on MyFitnessPal 
I am about to do my first half marathon in three weeks time and am wondering if anyone can share any tips with me for the big day?! I'm feeling quite nervous about doing it (the longest race I have done before is a 10k).
Any help much appreciated! x
I am about to do my first half marathon in three weeks time and am wondering if anyone can share any tips with me for the big day?! I'm feeling quite nervous about doing it (the longest race I have done before is a 10k).Any help much appreciated! x
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Replies
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Welcome to MFP! Half-mar advice: First, trust your training! You put in the time and effort, so on race day, just reap the rewards. Second, don't have a rigid time goal in place. Now matter what, it will be a PR, so enjoy the experience and know that your second race will be an opportunity to better your own performance. Third, don't try anything new! You might be tempted by the gel packets, Gatorade and fruits they may be handing out, but if you haven't tried it during training, don't tempt the fates with it during the race. The last thing you want is stomach cramps at mile 11 (*ahem* Gatorade at mile 10 during my first half *ahem*)!
Good luck with the last bit of training and your taper! Let us know how the race turned out!0 -
What Kristine said. And trust in your training.0
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Don't go out too fast! I'm sure you've heard this a million times but it's so easy to get caught up in the excitement and go out at a faster pace than you're used to (you'll even feel great in the moment). Slow down or you'll really regret it later.
Good luck 0 -
Welcome. I agree...don't go out too fast. Don't experiment with new foods the day before.0
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Welcome! Have a good night sleep before the race. Eat something in the morning, but not too close to the race. Use the toilet...run in proper shoes, but not brand new ones. Don't train hard the last days before the race. Smile for the cameras and greet bystanders. Say thank you to all the volunteers, including police! ...and all of the above!
I have two halfs in the next four weeks and just did a 10k last weekend...you can get addicted!
Stef.0 -
Go slow is what I've been told0
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I did my first half a couple weeks ago and I agree up above, don't do anything that day you didn't do before. I even trained carrying a water bottle to make sure it wouldn't annoy me during the race. Get lots of rest before the race and like other said trust your training. If they have pacers, use them. It made it so nice to have to think about pace I stayed either behind or near my pace group the whole time. Enjoy the race and smile when you see a camera :-)0
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Running with the pacers to start will help with the temptation to run too fast because it feels good to run in that race environment. The half-marathon is just long enough that going out too fast can cost you at the end.
All the other advice above is good. It boils down to trust your training and never do something new on race day that you've not done or worn before. A friend of mine, who always runs with compression shorts because the lycra helps cut down on chafing, didn't on one half-marathon she ran. She never trained without them and she found out her inner thighs do rub together and without body glide, she was pretty raw at the end of two and a half hours.
Don't wear something new and unwashed on race day. If you haven't washed it and haven't worn it before race day in a training run, I don't recommend wearing it (that includes the race t-shirt). Save the shirt for your completion of the race.
I found out the hard way that tech shirts and rain can be very hard on men's nipples (and the few women who run braless). Even though I'd run in the summer with tech shirts in a fair amount of sweat, rain soaked the shirt and that soaking wet shirt was something I had not trained in or anticipated. Can you say "sandpaper?" I was running a marathon that day and still had 15 miles to go when I checked in to the medical tent for a little first aid.
Have a good time and smile for the cameras. It'll keep everyone guessing.0 -
Thanks so much for the advice everyone! Feeling much more confident
Love the comment about the 'sandpaper', I'll make sure I have a solid bra on that day 
I am now SO excited to run my first 13.1 miles and can hardly wait to tell everyone how I get on!
Thanks again!xxx0 -
Thanks so much for the advice everyone! Feeling much more confident Love the comment about the 'sandpaper', I'll make sure I have a solid bra on that day I am now SO excited to run my first 13.1 miles and can hardly wait to tell everyone how I get on!
Thanks again!xxx
Oh yeah, the sandpaper can be real! If you haven't gone 13 before you'll probably discover some new places you will chafe. That seems to happen for me right around HM distance so if you suspect it'll happen anywhere, definitely consider putting some BodyGlide on before you start. Good luck and have fun!
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1- body glide...invest invest invest! I even put body glide on my feet.
2- don't eat a giant pasta meal the night before. Everyone always says "carb load!" Don't fall for it. My week leading up is when I am eating brown rice, couscous or quinoa and 4 oz of meat. I don't ever eat the giant pasta meals that places offer.
3- Plan your race and race your plan. One of the worst experiences I had was going out to fast and I hit the wall and the last part of the race was horrible.
4- Post race gear check bag I always put flip flops. My feet just want out of those running shoes after that long.
5- Bring a trash bag for in the morning while you wait until the race starts (if it will be chilly) also include a light weight shirt of jacket in your gear check bag. I always get cold not matter the temps after a race.
6-ENJOY!!! Make sure you smile for the cameras!
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Great post! I'm running my first 1/2 June 7th. Love the hints about the flip flops and the trash bags 0
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Bring some toilet paper just in case the portapotties at the start have run out. That is my only race tip, but it never stops being important. 0
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Oh my gosh I didn't even think about loo roll! Or flip flops!!! I haven't heard f Body Glide but I've been using Vaseline on my feet and any other places my clothes have been chafing - good substitute or should I get Body Glide?!0
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Vaseline is fine, and cheaper. The only place it's less than effective for me is under my HRM strap. I have a perpetual scuff across my sternum where it's abraded.0
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MeanderingMammal wrote: »Vaseline is fine, and cheaper. The only place it's less than effective for me is under my HRM strap. I have a perpetual scuff across my sternum where it's abraded.
I finally quit wearing my HRM last summer. Nothing worked no matter how diligent I was when it was 85 and 85% humidity. I still have a fading scar from the damage it did.
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Oh my gosh I didn't even think about loo roll! Or flip flops!!! I haven't heard f Body Glide but I've been using Vaseline on my feet and any other places my clothes have been chafing - good substitute or should I get Body Glide?!
I used to use BG and switched to Vaseline. I think Vaseline lasts longer, is more effective, and cheaper. A tub lasts ages!Bring some toilet paper just in case the portapotties at the start have run out. That is my only race tip, but it never stops being important.
YES! I had a very close call at my HM this weekend and will definitely remember this for my next race!0 -
kristinegift wrote: »
YES! I had a very close call at my HM this weekend and will definitely remember this for my next race!
Haha, I've only actually used the spare toilet paper about twice and I've done loads of races, but better safe than sorry...0 -
kristinegift wrote: »
YES! I had a very close call at my HM this weekend and will definitely remember this for my next race!
Haha, I've only actually used the spare toilet paper about twice and I've done loads of races, but better safe than sorry...
Ha. Thought I was the only one. I keep a spare stash in my gym bag. I always put a small supply in the key pocket of my running shorts. Because, you know, emergencies happen.0 -
kristinegift wrote: »
YES! I had a very close call at my HM this weekend and will definitely remember this for my next race!
Haha, I've only actually used the spare toilet paper about twice and I've done loads of races, but better safe than sorry...
Oh yeah I have some spare TP with me all of the time. Just in case. No need is trying to use anything else. I will also carry feminine product in my pouch just in case. Sorry for TMI but I learned that lesson the hard way.0 -
Thanks so much for the advice everyone! Feeling much more confident Love the comment about the 'sandpaper', I'll make sure I have a solid bra on that day I am now SO excited to run my first 13.1 miles and can hardly wait to tell everyone how I get on!
Thanks again!xxx
Haven't read all the posts, but i'm sure everyone is saying don't go out like a bullet, the adrenaline will make you want to. I would also put Vaseline on your nipples and around the areas where your new sports bra is cuz you might, not saying you will, but you might rub yourself raw and that will help avoiding that issue, that was something I wish someone would have told me. after the run, don't just stop, make sure to walk around.. have fun!!0 -
Make sure you get in a test run if you can and take note of what you are eating/wearing. Don't do the long run too close to race week though. In the last weeks keep your long runs at a very comfortable pace. Log the miles but don't overtrain. Keep your speed work a separate, shorter run. You want to be well trained but you need to let your muscles recoup as well. As others said nothing new. Race how you train. Lay out everything you need the night before and wake up quite early to eat and hydrate. Hydrate with water and electrolytes two days prior. Careful what electrolytes you use if you aren't accostomed to training with them. Sugar substitutes can be awful for your stomach but you don't want too much sugar either. Focus on bland, non-greasy food and high potassium. Some experts advise dropping your fiber consumption but I never have. Don't make the mistake of a greasy pizza or big dinner at an Italian joint. I cringe when I see my friends getting together for dinner night before and going to Olive Garden! I personally couldn't handle that. Since its your first stay safe with the food.0
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So I just finished my first yesterday, start slow and trust your training.
I finished 2:24:26, next year hopefully I'll have a sub 2 hour time0 -
Thought I should post an update - but first let me say thank you all so much for your tips, they were invaluable today. I don't have many friends who run and so you all helped massively with my confidence.
So today was the first half marathon ad actually the first race I've done in my life. I started out well, didn't settle into a proper rhythm until mile 3 (standard for me) and I was keeping within my target pace I had set myself. At mile 5 I felt a familiar twinge in my left calf from an old injury, and by mile 7 I was in the medic van. They advised me to rest at that point but I hobbled on to mile 10.5. At that point my boyfriend (who I was running with) and his mum (who had come to meet us on the course when she heard I wasn't running) convinced me I should give up for the sake of not worsening my injury - so I very very reluctantly did. I know you can't plan for injury and if I HAD carried on I would've only worsened my recovery - but still can't help feeling totally gutted. I have booked physio for next week, so hopefully my next run update will bring some better news.
Hope everyone who has contributed to this post has better luck than I did today!! Xo0 -
I'm sorry that your calf acted up! I've got a tricky left calf right now also... apparently it's going around
Hopefully you'll be able to do another half this summer or this fall and finally cross that finish line! 0 -
Don't let the negative thoughts steal away what you did! Despite injury you persevered through 10 miles. You also took advice and recognized you should not finish...not an easy thing to do...especially for someone with the kind of toughness and determination it takes to go as far as you did.
Heal up. You can train again. You know you can do this now. All you need is proper recovery and can then try again.0 -
Don't be discouraged. You have to make that assessment in the moment and if it was serious enough that you couldn't walk it off, then stopping to save yourself for a later date is where the smart money is. I know after all the training that you feel, as you put it, gutted. But know that you can recover (and hopefully you made your recovery faster by stopping) and race another day. It is often hard to make that choice even when it is the smartest choice.
We'll be here for you to try again.0 -
Sorry to hear! Bummer! Hope you sort it for good. Best of luck with your recovery. Stef.0
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Nothing heroic about struggling on to the end and making your injury worse. I really admire people who know when to stop - and the training won't be wasted as you'll recover in time to capitalise on the fitness you've built up.0
