Half Marathon - Race Day experience, tips, etc.
akirkman86
Posts: 89 Member
Hi everyone!
I am running my first half marathon in just a couple of weeks. I have been training for a long time and feel very confident that I am well-prepared and will be able to do it! However, I'm getting nervous about the race day itself. I've literally never even been through a water station! The only other race I've ever done is a 5k and not a very serious one at that. Any tips or advice for a newbie? What should I expect? I would love to hear about others' experiences and appreciate your insight!
I am running my first half marathon in just a couple of weeks. I have been training for a long time and feel very confident that I am well-prepared and will be able to do it! However, I'm getting nervous about the race day itself. I've literally never even been through a water station! The only other race I've ever done is a 5k and not a very serious one at that. Any tips or advice for a newbie? What should I expect? I would love to hear about others' experiences and appreciate your insight!
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Replies
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Perfectly normal. You'll be fine. If you know your pace and your HM has pacer groups, line up with the appropriate pacer. They love helping people out, especially first timers, and are very helpful.0
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Yayyy that's exciting! You should expect a fun day! I think the hardest part is getting to the starting line (completing training) so you're already there! I'm sure you've heard this before but my best advice is to pace yourself at the beginning! I did my first half marathon this past fall and the excitement and adrenaline caused me to run faster at the beginning than I was planning on. By miles 11-13 I was DEAD and I knew it's because I didn't pace myself according to how I had in training. That's it from me! Enjoy your race and make sure you have FUN! That's what it's about. There's nothing to be nervous about.
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I just completed my first half this past weekend. I was SO nervous! It was actually a lot of fun and I would totally do it again! My experience at the water stations was 10 people trying to give me water. Just grab one and say thank you. And I agree with @alpine1994 to pace yourself in the beginning. Most people seem to agree that for you first half marathon, just completing it is the goal. Good luck and have a great time! 0
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I did my first half last year. I was so freaking nervous! The main thing my coach told us was just to have fun and enjoy it. I agree with others in that it's best to pace yourself; just take it all in and have fun. Everyone was so helpful and encouraging. After I spilt my first cup of water all over me, I slowed a little bit to grab the cup of water. LOL Then again I am a little clumsy. Just make sure you stay hydrated and fueled. Wish you the best and have a blast!! 0
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One thing for sure is please make sure you pace yourself to what's comfortable. This year will be my 6th half marathon and it is a great challenge for anyone. Because this is your first I wouldn't worry about how quickly you do it as opposed to just finishing it without any strain or pain of any sort. And please do not start off too quickly otherwise the second half of the marathon, you'll run out of gas and have nothing left. the first 10.4 k is always the easiest, but remember you still have another 10.4 to go. My first half I finished at 152:45 and felt pretty good just running at a comfort level. Last year I ran a 133:20, but that's with a lot of training. After your first, you will probably want to run another one when you see how good you feel. And there is nothing wrong with stopping for a few minutes if you get tired as well. some people do 6 minutes on, 2 minutes off or whatever works for you. Remember to carb up really well a couple of days before the run as well including race day. get up a couple of hours early and have maybe some oatmeal, toast or even a banana. Also some gatorade which has electrolites. Good luck to you on your race. One more tip I find thats it's easier to stop and drink your water quickly then to keep running and drink it, you don't run out of breath as much.0
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I love having a camelbak it is great so I don't have to worry about the water stations. I will drink a powerade at an occasional station. I also will poor a water on my head to keep me cool. Have fun that is the most important thing to do.
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Its hard to drink went your huffing and puffing. Plus stopping slowing for water messes up your pace and everything. I would just keep cruising on pass until maybe at one of the later water stations if its hot. Otherwise, just skip it all ,...your done in 2 hours anyway.0
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Also, stopping or slowing and changing up your pace is a "Garunteeed" way to start up a cramp. One thing I have learned is never stop
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Pace. I remember my 1st half-marathon I came out chuggin' full steam and by the end I was dead. Hydrate yourself and skip the water stations (or hit the last one.).
Run it as if you were training. You are not running it to win0 -
Tip for running and drinking at the same time - when they hand you the cup, crush the top of it so the opening is now just a slit, then sip off that. You can even pinch the top part so there is just a small opening to sip from. Keeps it from splashing all over you. Especially useful if you are reaching for a cup of gatorade and don't want it splashing all over you.
Also if it is a hot day don't be afraid to take water and dump it on your head. Just make sure you don't dump gatorade on your head...0 -
DO NOT STOP! By now you should know your pace. Remember, you can't maintain a fast pace for 13 miles like you can for 3. Less clothing the better. What I mean is no long shorts or long sleeve shirts. If you're gonna wear a hat make sure it's not black. I prefer no hat. Music is important to me. I don't mind using the armband but some people hate that for some reason. So you have a couple of weeks so now is the time to check your gear, figure out what's comfortable for you. Find the right headphones as well, and make sure it's water/sweat proof. Not all headphones are the same. I have an over the ear Bluetooth set that took me quite a few runs to find the perfect way to wear it. Good luck!0
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If you're listening to music, make sure your iPod is charged!0
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^^^ OR Android 0
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Have fun. If they have pacers, join up. Let them know you are a first timer. At the end, yell out first timer. As far as water, what do you do for water on your training runs? rule of thumb for most, drink 16 ounces 90 mins before start. Carry your own if you can..I carry a 10 ounce disposable bottle for halfs. If they have paper cups, you can get one and walk thru water stops..just pick up pace before water stops and be dure not to get in someone's way that is behind you. You can practice the next step..grab the paper cup with one hand..pinch one end with your fingers and you have a great way of drinking out of cup while you run..if my exp. does not make sense..google. Have fun and we are excited for you. WOOOO!!!!0
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There's a pace of running called fartlek. Look it up especially beacuse this is your first marathon. Everyone is saying don't stop, but as long as you have enough water in you, you WILL NOT cramp up. You get cramps from being dehydrated and not having enough water. I use to run and stop all the time before I built up my cardio and NEVER got a cramp. Fartlek is like I said earlier when you run or jog at a good pace and then walk for a bit, then run again. Unless your a olympic runner or run half marathons at a really fast pace, don't worry, you won't cramp up. As for the water stations, everyone is different. I personally stop for 5 seconds because when you run, you usually breathe through your mouth and find it's harder to catch your breath then quickly stopping for a quick shot of water. you do what's comfortable for you.0
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Get up early enough to:
- Eat something small
- Pee
- Poop
Good luck with your race and don't forget to smile for the cameras!0 -
There's a pace of running called fartlek. Look it up especially beacuse this is your first marathon. Everyone is saying don't stop, but as long as you have enough water in you, you WILL NOT cramp up. You get cramps from being dehydrated and not having enough water. I use to run and stop all the time before I built up my cardio and NEVER got a cramp. Fartlek is like I said earlier when you run or jog at a good pace and then walk for a bit, then run again. Unless your a olympic runner or run half marathons at a really fast pace, don't worry, you won't cramp up. As for the water stations, everyone is different. I personally stop for 5 seconds because when you run, you usually breathe through your mouth and find it's harder to catch your breath then quickly stopping for a quick shot of water. you do what's comfortable for you.
That isn't what a "fartlek" run is. A fartlek is a type of workout (literally translates as "speed play") where the idea is to do unstructured speed work. You might sprint for 50 yards, then jog for a bit, sprint 100, then jog, etc. It has nothing to do with a race strategy0 -
Race day is a blast! My suggestions:
Have a nutrition and hydration plan. (I personally choose not to use the water stations and just have a flask or 2 with me in my fuel belt). Make sure its not so different than your training plans.
Make a kick-a** playlist.
Have fun!
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There's a pace of running called fartlek. Look it up especially beacuse this is your first marathon. Everyone is saying don't stop, but as long as you have enough water in you, you WILL NOT cramp up. You get cramps from being dehydrated and not having enough water. I use to run and stop all the time before I built up my cardio and NEVER got a cramp. Fartlek is like I said earlier when you run or jog at a good pace and then walk for a bit, then run again. Unless your a olympic runner or run half marathons at a really fast pace, don't worry, you won't cramp up. As for the water stations, everyone is different. I personally stop for 5 seconds because when you run, you usually breathe through your mouth and find it's harder to catch your breath then quickly stopping for a quick shot of water. you do what's comfortable for you.
That isn't what a "fartlek" run is. A fartlek is a type of workout (literally translates as "speed play") where the idea is to do unstructured speed work. You might sprint for 50 yards, then jog for a bit, sprint 100, then jog, etc. It has nothing to do with a race strategy
Fartlek is absolutely for a long run. One way is called a structured run. It's 2,3,4,4,3,2 which means 2:30 fast, 2:30 easy, 3:00 minutes fast, 2:30 easy, 4:00 minutes fast, 2:30 easy and so on. But you don't have to do it at that pace, you do what's comfortable for you. If you want to run for 6 minutes and then walk for 2, you can do that. Trust me, I've learned a lot from 2 people who have won the Manitoba marathon here in Winnipeg, giving me tips when I first started running about fartlek runs and I think they know what they're talking about when they advise beginners to start off that way. Good luck on your run kirkman.0 -
Perhaps we are having a communications issue? Because for a moment thought perhaps I could be wrong, and did some googling. I can find nothing that supports your definition and every link I found supports mine.0
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I never do fartleks on my long runs. I guess I could be doing it all wrong, though.0
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WhatMeRunning wrote: »I never do fartleks on my long runs. I guess I could be doing it all wrong, though.
My long runs always include a few miles at marathon race pace, but never at "fartlek pace" which would be real speed.0 -
Personally my biggest race day tip: Get in line for the port-o-potty, do your business and then HOP BACK IN LINE AGAIN. Cycle through twice, maybe even three times if you have a nervous bladder/GI tract like I do.
Other tip: have fun and try not to psych yourself out 0 -
kristinegift wrote: »Personally my biggest race day tip: Get in line for the port-o-potty, do your business and then HOP BACK IN LINE AGAIN. Cycle through twice, maybe even three times if you have a nervous bladder/GI tract like I do.
Other tip: have fun and try not to psych yourself out
Oh yes... this. Trust me it can be hard to get everything out the first time. If the line is just long enough by the time you get back to the front you will be GLAD you did this. I can't tell you how many times I only hit the portopotty once, then went to the starting line, and immediately regretted not going back for seconds.
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a lot of different information here, which is just a testament about how unique a race is to an individual.
while some people avoid aid stations like the plague for fear of cramping or not being sure if they'll be able to start running again, i personally slow down for a few steps to a walk, chug my half cup of sports drink, and then keep moving. i've tried the "crush the cup to make the liquid flow better to keep running while drinking" method. it results in me waterboarding myself. and then the sugary liquid gets all over me and makes me feel gross. i have found that i prefer relying on aid station liquids than carrying my own, and i've tried every way from a fuel belt, to a handheld bottle, to a camelbak. on race day, i like to have as little as possible.
i don't even run with music because it can upset my tempo, and my mood. what if i just don't feel like listening to that rhianna song? and what if my phone is acting all wonky and the playlist cuts in and out? or what if people keep texting or calling me and i forgot to put it on silent mode, or it just gets through any way?
the two pieces i have for you is to not start off too fast. you will have some race day adrenaline, so try and burn that off with a mile warm up. second, enjoy yourself!! the first race of any distance is mostly a learning experience anyway. you're guaranteed a PR no matter what!!!0 -
Fartlek is absolutely for a long run. One way is called a structured run. It's 2,3,4,4,3,2 which means 2:30 fast, 2:30 easy, 3:00 minutes fast, 2:30 easy, 4:00 minutes fast, 2:30 easy and so on. But you don't have to do it at that pace, you do what's comfortable for you. If you want to run for 6 minutes and then walk for 2, you can do that. Trust me, I've learned a lot from 2 people who have won the Manitoba marathon here in Winnipeg, giving me tips when I first started running about fartlek runs and I think they know what they're talking about when they advise beginners to start off that way. Good luck on your run kirkman.
Fartlek is Swedish for speedplay, it's intended to be unstructured.
I think what you're talking about is Galloway technique, and wouldn't recommend it to someone who hasn't used the approach in training.
Personally speaking I don't like it, but each to their own. It's an approach that seems to have a lot of One True Way (tm) zealots.
Anyway, to the original poster. It's your first race, you'll work out what works for you on your own. Basics from my perspective, don't use any new kit that you haven't used on a long run. Plan your race and race your plan; don't go out too fast essentially.
The main thing is to finish, so if you need to ease back to keep going, then do that. Don't worry too much about time, it'll give you a target to beat in the future.
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There's a pace of running called fartlek. Look it up especially beacuse this is your first marathon. Everyone is saying don't stop, but as long as you have enough water in you, you WILL NOT cramp up. You get cramps from being dehydrated and not having enough water. I use to run and stop all the time before I built up my cardio and NEVER got a cramp. Fartlek is like I said earlier when you run or jog at a good pace and then walk for a bit, then run again. Unless your a olympic runner or run half marathons at a really fast pace, don't worry, you won't cramp up. As for the water stations, everyone is different. I personally stop for 5 seconds because when you run, you usually breathe through your mouth and find it's harder to catch your breath then quickly stopping for a quick shot of water. you do what's comfortable for you.
That isn't what a "fartlek" run is. A fartlek is a type of workout (literally translates as "speed play") where the idea is to do unstructured speed work. You might sprint for 50 yards, then jog for a bit, sprint 100, then jog, etc. It has nothing to do with a race strategy
Fartlek is absolutely for a long run. One way is called a structured run. It's 2,3,4,4,3,2 which means 2:30 fast, 2:30 easy, 3:00 minutes fast, 2:30 easy, 4:00 minutes fast, 2:30 easy and so on. But you don't have to do it at that pace, you do what's comfortable for you. If you want to run for 6 minutes and then walk for 2, you can do that. Trust me, I've learned a lot from 2 people who have won the Manitoba marathon here in Winnipeg, giving me tips when I first started running about fartlek runs and I think they know what they're talking about when they advise beginners to start off that way. Good luck on your run kirkman.
i think something was lost when they spoke to you. fartleks are very unstructured speed workouts. like "jog... RUN FAST TO THAT LAMP POST... recover... that don't walk sign is starting to blink RUN FAST UNTIL IT GOES COMPLETELY STEADY... recover... there is a dog RUN FAST TO PASS IT... recover..."
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MeanderingMammal wrote: »Fartlek is absolutely for a long run. One way is called a structured run. It's 2,3,4,4,3,2 which means 2:30 fast, 2:30 easy, 3:00 minutes fast, 2:30 easy, 4:00 minutes fast, 2:30 easy and so on. But you don't have to do it at that pace, you do what's comfortable for you. If you want to run for 6 minutes and then walk for 2, you can do that. Trust me, I've learned a lot from 2 people who have won the Manitoba marathon here in Winnipeg, giving me tips when I first started running about fartlek runs and I think they know what they're talking about when they advise beginners to start off that way. Good luck on your run kirkman.
Fartlek is Swedish for speedplay, it's intended to be unstructured.
I think what you're talking about is Galloway technique, and wouldn't recommend it to someone who hasn't used the approach in training.
Personally speaking I don't like it, but each to their own. It's an approach that seems to have a lot of One True Way (tm) zealots.
Anyway, to the original poster. It's your first race, you'll work out what works for you on your own. Basics from my perspective, don't use any new kit that you haven't used on a long run. Plan your race and race your plan; don't go out too fast essentially.
The main thing is to finish, so if you need to ease back to keep going, then do that. Don't worry too much about time, it'll give you a target to beat in the future.
Yeah, Galloway is what I thought of as well. Although, my understanding is that the run/walk splits are even - they don't go up as oilphins suggested. You can always tell the Galloway runners - their Garmin's are constantly beeping and they raise a hand to let others know they're slowing to walk (which is very polite of them).
Also, advice on new kit is spot on. It's important that you don't do anything different that day. Race day is not the time to try out those new shoes or that high fiber bar you've heard is really good for you. Do what you've done on your training runs. And, have fun.0 -
+1kristinegift wrote: »Personally my biggest race day tip: Get in line for the port-o-potty, do your business and then HOP BACK IN LINE AGAIN. Cycle through twice, maybe even three times if you have a nervous bladder/GI tract like I do.
Other tip: have fun and try not to psych yourself out
My race-day nerves are always havoc on my GI tract.
OP, I've done plenty of HMs and the nerves never to away. It's part of the adrenaline of race day. Soak it up and enjoy yourself!
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