“Do not train for a marathon in college… I never could have even trained for a half marathon in college.”
These wise words from Brett Chody, a running influencer, appeared on my TikTok For You page back in September. Unfortunately, it was around this time that I impulsively decided to sign up for the Santa Barbara Half Marathon with two of my hallmates. While I’m sure that Chody had good intentions with this video, I immediately panicked.
Hearing that running even a half marathon was impossible as a college student only reinforced my previous doubts. If I hadn’t even run ten miles, how could I run 13.2? Also, as a college freshman, my life has been in a constant state of change, from new friends to new classes to a new campus, so how could I possibly maintain a structured training routine?
Now that I am officially over two weeks out from the Santa Barbara Half, I can confidently say that I was fear-mongered. Running a half marathon on a college student’s schedule is doable if you train properly. As I reflect on my half marathon training process, I made many mistakes along the way, so here’s a list of what I’d do differently for future races.
You Can’t outrun a ColD
You Can’t Outrun a Cold Like many college freshmen, by month one of fall quarter, I succumbed to frat flu . However, out of the fear of losing progress, I didn’t skip a single run while I was sick. It got to the point where I was wheezing and taking cough breaks during my ten mile long runs. Ultimately, what I regret most from my training process was not listening to my body and slowing down. What set me back the most in my half marathon prep was not skipping a workout, but pushing through the pain when I wasn’t feeling well.
Rest Now, Run Later
You don’t always need to “do both”. Just because I could push myself to go on a Sunday long run after going out doesn’t mean that I should have. While at the time I thought I was being “productive”, I would inevitably crash and burn by the end of the day from the sheer exhaustion of functioning on no sleep while running intense mileage. By sacrificing rest, I ultimately ended up pushing my body to its breaking point. So, for my next race, I plan to accommodate my schedule to maximize rest and recovery, whether that means moving my long runs to the afternoons or, unfortunately, skipping a night out with friends.
Be Flexible
The one thing that scared me and I’m sure many others from running a half marathon in college was the lack of a solid routine. Unlike the consistent structure of a 9-5 job, college classes can take place anywhere from eight in the morning to seven at night, and this is excluding any other commitments from part time jobs, clubs, to Greek Life. Having such a varied schedule can make it difficult to log some serious mileage. By the middle of the quarter, I began to adopt a “something is better than nothing” mentality, adding in quick runs whenever there was a break in my schedule. The harsh reality is that the best routine isn’t the most perfect one, it’s the most adaptable and sustainable.
FuEl ProPerlY and Mindfully
When training for a long distance race as a busy college student, snacks are essential. As someone with back-to-back classes, having consistent meal times can be difficult, however, proper fuel is essential for race day success. If I could do anything differently, it would be to stock up on healthy snacks for when I don’t have access to the dining halls. While balance is key, eating nutrient-dense food is just as important as eating enough. I think that I could have had an easier recovery process during workouts if I had prioritized my protein intake.
Don’t let the fomo Get you Down
As a college student, especially at a school like UCSB, it can often feel like you are missing out if you are not constantly going out or partying. But through the training process, I had to learn how to say no without the inevitable guilt. Through half marathon prep, I had a realization that just because my college experience may be different from other people’s, it does not mean that mine is any less valid, or that I am losing out on fun moments to reminisce about. From running all the way to downtown Santa Barbara to try coffee shops with my friends, to racing to Goleta Pier in the pouring rain, I was still able to build some amazing memories through the training process.
So, if you are in the position I was in 3 months ago, this is your sign to enter into a half marathon, or maybe even a full marathon. While putting off the goal of running a long distance race may be the more sensible thing to do, it’s never too early to try. It may not always feel like it, but there are other ways to chase fulfillment (no pun intended) than partying your way through your four years at UCSB.
To answer the question, yes, you can run a half marathon or even a full marathon in college. It just may mean that your experience won’t be like everyone else’s. But that’s okay.