Well this week
has felt like it lasted forever and yet it went by in a blink.
After running my first half marathon, starting a new job and hosting another ladies brunch, I was ready for a much-needed weekend of rest.
I'm looking forward to this upcoming week. It's one of my favorite weeks of the year! It's Birthday Week at the Wilson's!
Before we start celebrating, I wanted to revisit my half marathon weekend to offer some tips to those who may be thinking about starting to run.
After running my first half marathon, starting a new job and hosting another ladies brunch, I was ready for a much-needed weekend of rest.
I'm looking forward to this upcoming week. It's one of my favorite weeks of the year! It's Birthday Week at the Wilson's!
Before we start celebrating, I wanted to revisit my half marathon weekend to offer some tips to those who may be thinking about starting to run.
Half Marathon tips
Before the race
1) Sign up for a race that fits the training schedule. I used the 12 week Hal Hidgon’s training schedule. If you wait longer you’ll figure out ways to get out of it. (I know that from experience)
2) Cross-train. On days I wouldn't run, I did squats, leg lifts, weights and stretching. I tried my best to keep my knee strong. Of course there were other days where I just laid on the couch and watched Netflix. The key is to have more days of training than days of binge watching Netflix.
3) Wear comfortable clothing. You do not want to be pulling on your clothes while you’re running. If it's happening in training, it will happen the day of the race.
4) Pick up your race packet before race day (if possible. ) so you don't have to get to the start line even earlier than you already do.
5) Make a great playlist if you're listening to music during your run. I asked friends for music suggestions. When the song they gave me would come up I would think of them and it took my mind off of the race. (Of course it rained during the entire duration of my race, so a few of these songs were added last minute)
6) Most importantly, build a team of cheerleaders and supporters. It's no small feat to reserve a chunk of your time for four months to train for a long race. You'll need the emotional support and sometimes someone to make sure you're staying on track.
7) Believe in yourself. If you follow the training schedule and eat well, you will be able to run a half marathon.
Day of Race
1) Consistency is key. Eat the same thing on race day that you've eaten before other long runs. I did two practice runs in the weeks before my race, where I woke up, ate a bagel and banana, drank some coffee, and let my food digest for at least an hour, before I went out to run.
2) Put Vaseline on areas that could chaff (especially inner thighs, feet and sports bra lines)
3) Get to the start line early to find your corral or pacer.
4) Use the bathroom at home but you will need to go before the race begins so allow extra time to use the restroom there.
During the Race
1) Don't go full speed ahead when the gun goes off.
2) Go at your own pace. You’re really only racing against one person, yourself.
3) Don't worry about your standing in the race. (You know what they call the last person to finish a half marathon? A half marathon finisher.)
4) Drink at the water stations. (I alternated between Gatorade and water at each one)
5) Break up the miles. I knew I could not run 13.1 miles, but I also knew that I could run 3 miles, four-ish times. Just like with any assignment if you divide and conquer it seems much more doable.
After the Race
1) Celebrate your accomplishment!
2) Rest! Stick your feet up. Ice your knees and back.
3) That ice cream sundae you've been putting off eating...today is your day! ( I haven't had mine yet, but doesn't it sound good?)
4) Sign up for your next race!
Cheers to making goals and meeting them. If I could do it, so can you.
Looking forward to my next half marathon in the fall!
1) Sign up for a race that fits the training schedule. I used the 12 week Hal Hidgon’s training schedule. If you wait longer you’ll figure out ways to get out of it. (I know that from experience)
2) Cross-train. On days I wouldn't run, I did squats, leg lifts, weights and stretching. I tried my best to keep my knee strong. Of course there were other days where I just laid on the couch and watched Netflix. The key is to have more days of training than days of binge watching Netflix.
3) Wear comfortable clothing. You do not want to be pulling on your clothes while you’re running. If it's happening in training, it will happen the day of the race.
4) Pick up your race packet before race day (if possible. ) so you don't have to get to the start line even earlier than you already do.
5) Make a great playlist if you're listening to music during your run. I asked friends for music suggestions. When the song they gave me would come up I would think of them and it took my mind off of the race. (Of course it rained during the entire duration of my race, so a few of these songs were added last minute)
6) Most importantly, build a team of cheerleaders and supporters. It's no small feat to reserve a chunk of your time for four months to train for a long race. You'll need the emotional support and sometimes someone to make sure you're staying on track.
7) Believe in yourself. If you follow the training schedule and eat well, you will be able to run a half marathon.
Day of Race
1) Consistency is key. Eat the same thing on race day that you've eaten before other long runs. I did two practice runs in the weeks before my race, where I woke up, ate a bagel and banana, drank some coffee, and let my food digest for at least an hour, before I went out to run.
2) Put Vaseline on areas that could chaff (especially inner thighs, feet and sports bra lines)
3) Get to the start line early to find your corral or pacer.
4) Use the bathroom at home but you will need to go before the race begins so allow extra time to use the restroom there.
During the Race
1) Don't go full speed ahead when the gun goes off.
2) Go at your own pace. You’re really only racing against one person, yourself.
3) Don't worry about your standing in the race. (You know what they call the last person to finish a half marathon? A half marathon finisher.)
4) Drink at the water stations. (I alternated between Gatorade and water at each one)
5) Break up the miles. I knew I could not run 13.1 miles, but I also knew that I could run 3 miles, four-ish times. Just like with any assignment if you divide and conquer it seems much more doable.
After the Race
1) Celebrate your accomplishment!
2) Rest! Stick your feet up. Ice your knees and back.
3) That ice cream sundae you've been putting off eating...today is your day! ( I haven't had mine yet, but doesn't it sound good?)
4) Sign up for your next race!
Cheers to making goals and meeting them. If I could do it, so can you.
If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.
~Thomas A. Edison
Looking forward to my next half marathon in the fall!
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