At the very end of 2024, I signed up for my first half marathon, which is now approaching. I have always liked running but have never been super good at it. Despite this, I have always wanted to run a marathon, and I thought a half marathon would be a good place to start! I knew I was going to have to start practicing with somewhat long distances since I would only have two months to train. With the race being 2 weeks away, I will dive into some things I have learned about the training process and how to take care of yourself during training!
listen to your body
One important thing I have learned is to listen to your body and to not push yourself too hard. I have fallen victim to going on runs when I know my body doesn’t feel good, because of the guilt I may have if I don’t run that day. Despite feeling guilty, injuring your body or having a really bad run isn’t worth it.
There is a difference between simply not wanting to run, and feeling like the run will not benefit you. I have gotten better about this, and have tried to do a cross-training or gym day instead of doing a distance run, if my body is not in the right condition.
stay motivated
Staying motivated is easier said than done. It can be very hard to stay motivated for training, especially on those long run days. It can also be hard in the cold weather, which I have found out throughout my training. Something that helps me, is to simply just get dressed, stretch, throw on some music and go. It is easier said than done, but when I sit around and procrastinate, I start to lose motivation.
Another thing to remember is that you will not regret your run once you are done, and that rewarding feeling after, often helps me get through it. Having a good playlist, and listening to new music often distracts me and helps me keep going as well.
make a schedule
When training for such a long distance, it can be hard to figure out a schedule that works for you. I have googled many training schedules that haven’t ended up working for me, and that’s completely understandable. For me specifically, I have found that one long run a week (increases each week), two 45-minute tempo runs, and two cross train days, is what works best for me.
I think it is important to be reasonable about what you can fit into your schedule, and to be reasonable about the increase of distance you add each week. Having a plan of what I am doing each week, let’s me prepare and helps me stay on track!
the importance of cross-training
Something I have found that is necessary for long-distance running, is to take some days to cross train. The importance of cross-training is to lessen the risk of injury, prevent burnout, and give your body a break from solely just running.
I have found that I am not experiencing leg issues as much since I have started cross-training. It also satisfies me on those days when I am between runs, and I still want to get a workout in. These have grown to become my favorite days during training! I usually will opt in for a cycling class led by the University or cycling on my own. Some days I will hit the stair master or walk with inclines on the treadmill. I also love to ski, and luckily, since my training is taking place during the winter, I can hit the slopes on some weekends!
Eat!
When going on long runs consistently, along with other forms of exercise, it is important to remember to eat more than you typically would. I try to eat a lot of protein, and make sure that I am getting more than enough food in my body daily, even if I am not running. On one of my long runs I did recently, my app gives an estimate of how many calories you burn, and the number was over 1,000. I was shocked the number could be so high, but I try to remember to restore my body due to the high calorie burn during runs, which is inevitable. It’s also important to remember to eat before runs. Even if I am not terribly hungry, I typically will have a few snacks, maybe a granola bar and an apple, along with electrolytes.
track your progress
If you are working towards a goal, I have found that keeping track of my runs and workouts, has led me to see myself improve, and help me work towards further goals. It helps me on those days where I do not feel satisfied with my run/workout, because it contributes to my overall improvement. It helps me be reassured that I am in fact getting better as a runner!
you can do it!
One of the most important things I have learned while training is to have patience with the process. It is okay to not follow the schedule sometimes and to have days where you want to prioritize your mental and physical health, whatever that looks like! There have been many days where I ditched my run and went on a walk, or even just stayed at home. Another thing to remember is that running is more mental than physical. If you have motivation and trust in yourself, you can do it!
It is important to remember that the best is all you can do. Running can be very challenging, and the thought of going on a 10-11 mile run is very intimidating to me still. I still have a lot to learn about running and how to care for my body during my elaborate workout schedule, but I am proud of all the progress I have made. I am thankful to be able to sign up for a half marathon, and to be healthy. I encourage everyone to use stay active and use their bodies if they can, even if that doesn’t mean running, because it has helped fulfill me in so many ways! Thank you for reading!