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I will be running my first half marathon in 2 weeks. I am very prepared, do lots of reading about it etc etc. Just want to hear from anyone who has done it already on little things that someone may not anticipate until you actually go through it. Words of wisdom, advise, what worked for you, what didn't, what you absolutely must do beforehand. Any and all stories you have. I want to be as prepared as I can be so it goes smoothly. Thanks!
Hmm...you're "doing lots of reading about it?" That's all well and good I guess but the real preparation comes from logging the miles prior to your event. You say you're very prepared but left out the most important stat: how many miles a week have you been running? I've run six half-marathons and about a dozen 10K's. How's your training going? Do you do long runs, tempo runs, and speedwork? Are you logging at least 25 miles a week? Can you run 16-20 miles on your long run days? And can you do a 10K at about a 10:30/mile pace on your tempo runs? The answers to these questions should all be yes in order for you to be truly prepped for a 13-miler. Other than that, the only other advice I could give you is not to do anything drastically different than you've been doing prior to your race, i.e. diet, training, rest, new shoes, clothes, etc. Stick with what's been working; relax; have fun. Stay hydrated. Carbo load the night before, or at least 12 hourse before the race.
Hmm...you're "doing lots of reading about it?" That's all well and good I guess but the real preparation comes from logging the miles prior to your event. You say you're very prepared but left out the most important stat: how many miles a week have you been running? I've run six half-marathons and about a dozen 10K's. How's your training going? Do you do long runs, tempo runs, and speedwork? Are you logging at least 25 miles a week? Can you run 16-20 miles on your long run days? And can you do a 10K at about a 10:30/mile pace on your tempo runs? The answers to these questions should all be yes in order for you to be truly prepped for a 13-miler. Other than that, the only other advice I could give you is not to do anything drastically different than you've been doing prior to your race, i.e. diet, training, rest, new shoes, clothes, etc. Stick with what's been working; relax; have fun. Stay hydrated. Carbo load the night before, or at least 12 hourse before the race.
I guess I didn't explain myself that well! When I say "reading", it just means I've read through a lot of training programs, and am following one that I felt right for me.
Thanks for your imput. Yes, I've done the leg work, I've just not done a long "race" before, only 5k's. Just looking for any practical tips I might overlook. Appreciate the advise!
If you've already done races before I don't know what extra advice anyone could add. Just go a little slower than race pace for the first few miles. Work up to race pace, then if you still feel good at 8 miles, go ahead and push it. If you've done races before you know that adrenaline will make your pace feel really slow until it wears off. It's not a good feeling knowing you went out way too fast and you still have 10 miles to go.
Remember to smile and have fun! I was really nervous before my first 1/2 and I got some advice that I bring with me to every race now - to smile, have fun and hopefully inspire someone else that's on the sidelines. This has helped me also to just enjoy the entirety of the race - the spectators, music, start line, cheerleaders, scenery and complete the race with a smile.
The other thing I do is run with a camelback because I when I'm thirsty I don't want to wait until the next mile marker to get a drink...I want it when I want it.
Good luck and congratulations on your first 1/2! They are a lot of fun.
Don't be tempted to do some crazy last minute workout/run before the race...stick to your taper. If you've followed your training plan, you are ready for the distance...no matter what your brain/body are telling you. Taper crazies are real!
Don't go out to hard.....when the race first starts, they'll be people sprinting off the line like their A$$ is on fire....don't follow, you catch up and pass them a couple of miles down the road.
Learn to drink out of a dixie cup while running. A good technique is to pinch it with your first two fingers and pour from the pitched section of the cup. If you must stop at a water station....be sure to pull way over to the side of the road....Don't stop and grab a cup...there are most likely runners behind you who plan to run through and you stopping in front of them is annoying.
Don't do anything you didn't already do in training. Don't be tempted to take those gels (if they are offered) if its something you haven't practiced with already....you don't want to find out at mile 10 that you stomach can't handle that type of stuff.
Enjoy it, thank the crowd for the support and follow the race director's instructions....especially the one about earphones/ipods not being allowed (most races prohibit them but people ignore it).
[quote=broadbill;16570860]Don't be tempted to do some crazy last minute workout/run before the race...stick to your taper. If you've followed your training plan, you are ready for the distance...no matter what your brain/body are telling you. Taper crazies are real!
Don't go out to hard.....when the race first starts, they'll be people sprinting off the line like their A$$ is on fire....don't follow, you catch up and pass them a couple of miles down the road.
Learn to drink out of a dixie cup while running. A good technique is to pinch it with your first two fingers and pour from the pitched section of the cup. If you must stop at a water station....be sure to pull way over to the side of the road....Don't stop and grab a cup...there are most likely runners behind you who plan to run through and you stopping in front of them is annoying.
Don't do anything you didn't already do in training. Don't be tempted to take those gels (if they are offered) if its something you haven't practiced with already....you don't want to find out at mile 10 that you stomach can't handle that type of stuff.
Enjoy it, thank the crowd for the support and follow the race director's instructions....especially the one about earphones/ipods not being allowed (most races prohibit them but people ignore it).
Good luck
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