I’m linking-up with DC area bloggers Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What?!, and Mar at Mar on the Run again today! This week’s theme is a Free Friday so I’m chatting about 5 Things I Learned Training For My First Half Marathon.
I’m not yet a first-time half marathon finisher, but I’m nine, short days away! Since this week’s Friday Five theme was a freebie, I decided to take a look back at what I’ve learned over the past 11 weeks. (I also wrote 5 Things I Learned as a New Runner a few months back).
- Be flexible, but don’t make excuses. Schedules change; things come up! Go with the flow. You can’t always follow a training plan to a T, but you can do your best to adjust. Get into a routine, and don’t let day-to-day happenings be an excuse to miss a run.
- Follow your own pace. The goal is to finish the race; speed and PRs can come later! In the beginning of my training, it was really hard to accept my run/walk method, but I believe slowing down is what allowed me to run how I do now. Also, don’t worry about other people are running. You’re training for a half marathon! You’re doing great.
- Running isn’t the only thing that will get you to the start line. Strength train. Foam roll. Bike. Walk. Hike. Stretch. Sleep. Find something you like doing aside from running. These things add up and will keep you running long after the first half marathon.
- It’s okay not to love training every minute of the process. Some days (weeks) are hard, but you need to keep chugging through the miles and the extras (see above). Your body will thank you the next week when you’re head is back in the game.
- Celebrate the little things. Some mornings, simply getting out of bed and ready for a run before 7am was an accomplishment. Other days, it was running 9 miles for the first time! Or crossing that finish line! Running is humbling.We deserve to celebrate the wins (big + small) as they come.
What are some lessons you learned training for a new distance?
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Sounds like you’ve learned a lot. Nice points! Yes, don’t compare yourself to others and focus on your goal to finish. Celebrating all the little things is great too! Good luck on your first half!!
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Those are pretty good learnings. The “follow your own pace” is important in training but also in the race (and harder to do when everyone goes out guns a blazin!). Congrats to you for taking this on!
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Reblogged this on Healthy Executive Blog and commented:
People set goals and run half marathons for different reasons, but we all learn something along the way. What does your journey look like, and what are you learning along the way ?
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That’s a great list & boy, it took me a lot longer than you to figure out some of that stuff!
I’d add missing a workout or two will not kill you — as long as you don’t make a habit of it!
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Such a great list, Victoria; I’m so excited for you!! It has definitely taken me some time (or maybe discipline??) to realize that running is not the ONLY important thing to worry about before getting to the start/finish line; as I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed that I certainly benefit from some strength training, foam rolling, etc., like you’ve mentioned above. I’m glad you’ve figured this out before I did – ha! You’re going to do great! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
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These are great lessons! You will no doubt rock the socks off this race. Best of luck!!! First time races are so incredible so soak up every moment!
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this is a good list. i’m really excited for you and the upcoming race – you will rock it. the weather should also be really nice next weekend!
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I like your list and actually was a bit sad about part of #2. I qualified for the Boston Marathon using run/walk and nailed the time by more than 6 minutes. You should not feel at all badly about using the run/walk race strategy.
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Great list. All of these are lessons worth learning! 😉
Good luck at your race this weekend!!
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I loved your comment that running isn’t the only thing that will get you to the finish line. Nope, gotta do all that other stuff too! Great post!
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I am so excited for you! You’ve had a great training cycle and you’ll do great. Walk/run has worked for many people (I use it when I tire out and will probably for both marathons). I know several people have BQd with RW 🙂
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