Running my first half marathon was a learning experience for me. I had to wake up earlier and run longer than any other race I'd run before, so I had to do a lot of things differently. For any other newbies looking to tackle their first half, here are some of the things I learned:
- First of all, if you're planning on running a destination race, make sure you plan on flying out there a few days early, if possible. Our race was Sunday morning, so we arrived on Thursday morning. Flying in Friday morning would have worked just as well. If we'd have arrived on Saturday, I would have felt way too rushed.
- That said, if you plan to go early to do sightseeing while you're there (or visit the parks in a place like Disney World), I can't stress enough how much you should limit yourself on the walking. For our next Disney Race (hopefully the Wine & Dine 2011), I'd rather fly in a day or two ahead of time and stay longer post-race instead of leaving the day after. The pre-race walking made my feet incredibly sore, and even though I was told it would, I underestimated how much so.
- Schedule yourself some downtime. Whether you're running a hometown half, or traveling somewhere new, give yourself some time to rest - before and after the race. Jon and our friends Sean and Jess had bought tickets to a spring training ballgame which was a few hours after our race. I didn't want to miss out on a fun game with my friends, but I knew for a fact that I would want to nap before hitting the park later that afternoon, and it ended up being the right decision for me. I was refreshed and ready to hit the Magic Kingdom later that afternoon.
- If you want merchandise, get to the expo early. Now, I've only run one half and thus, have only been to one expo, but from what others tell me, this is no different anywhere else. We had gone to the expo a two hours after it opened on Friday, the first of two days it would be occurring. Even by that point, one of the vendors selling a limited edition shirt I really wanted was completely out of mediums. People have said that by the time they got to the expo later on Saturday, many items were sold out. If you're only attending to pick up your bib number, then you might benefit from the smaller crowds toward the end of the expo. Otherwise, try to get there early.
- Whether you're a slower runner (like myself) or a walker, it's important for us to remember the rules of the road. If you plan to stop for walk breaks, be sure to glance behind you first, or otherwise signal to those running behind you that you plan to slow down. Look before crossing the path of runners to get to the other side of the road. Stick to the sides if you're a slower runner, so as to not block the path for faster runners. And finally, if the race path is narrow, try not to run/walk more than two wide.
- Disney World is the perfect place for your first half marathon! Not only do you get a trip out of it, but the race itself is perfect for first-timers. It attracts both super fast runners and walkers, and there are so many characters along the way to stop for pictures with. Running through the parks was also a fun perk. It's a not-so-serious race that is really welcoming (read: not intimidating) for those of us going out for our first half, and those who aren't so fast.
Maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself. Before you can sign up for a race as big as a half marathon, you need to, you know, train. I've got some tips for that, too:
- Get new shoes. Shoes are the most important piece of equipment for any runner. A bad shoe will give you aches and pains (and make you more susceptible to injury) in your feet, legs, lower back, and elsewhere. Once I replaced my sneakers, I no longer had extreme arch pain or minor shin and calf pain.
Rather than going to a large sporting goods chain store, you're better off finding a specialty running shop (my recommendation for Boston is Marathon Sports on Boylston). Employees are runners themselves and are trained to watch you walk/run to determine what type of shoe will best fit your needs. There's no need to go crazy with shoes when you're a beginner, but expect to spend around $100 on a good pair of running shoes. It's true you may find them cheaper online, however it's only fair to buy them from the running shop that helps fit you (at least in my opinion. Help support your local running shops!). That said, don't feel pressured to buy a shoe that you're not comfortable in, and feel free to sleep on your decision before buying. - It's important to realize that training isn't going to happen overnight. If you decide to start running, pick a race at least 6 months to a year out (depending on your fitness level and what type of race it is). Find a training plan that is right for you and stick to it. Schedule workouts on your calendar. Set up reminders on your mobile phone. Find a partner to train with you. Do whatever it takes to stick to your training.
- And on that note, it's time to talk about motivation. We have tons of it when we first start training, but eventually there comes a time when it flies out the window, even just temporarily. Soon enough, you find yourself on the couch watching re-runs of The Office and vegging on Caramel Delites instead of working out (not that I've ever done that... ahem). When I started training for the Princess Half, I anticipated I would need motivation along the way, so I prepared myself for that time. I signed up for Disboards.com to chat with other Disney runners. I printed out the logo to the race and taped it to my refrigerator and pinned it to my bulletin board. I set a photo of the previous year's finishers medal as my iPhone wallpaper. I set up my entire training plan in iCal and forced myself to stick to it. And of course, it helped that Jon trained with me along the way. So buy that subscription to Runner's World. Eat dessert next Friday night. Promise to buy yourself that running skirt you've been eying up once you hit your first five-miler. Whatever it takes to stay motivated, go for it!
- While you can take steps to prevent them, injuries can come at any time. Wearing proper fitting shoes is probably your first line of defense. Warming up, running with good form, and cross training are other ways you can prevent running injuries. But unfortunately, some of us will be on the DL at one point or another during our training. If you are one of the unlucky ones, the best thing you can do for your body is to rest. Overdoing it will make your injury worse. If it is a particularly bad injury or lasts longer than expected, see a doctor or possibly a physical therapist. My sciatica still gets me down (see my Princess race report), but never out. If not for going to physical therapy and learning how to relieve the nerve pressure, I may not have gotten through the rest of my training. Also, a book that has been incredibly helpful to my training - not just in regards to injuries but for everything running related - is The Competitive Runner's Handbook
- At some point during your training, you may pass the threshold at which running is no longer just a workout, but finally becomes a way of life. You'll want to eat better (if you haven't been already), you'll look forward to your runs (and actually enjoy them!), and you won't be able to shut up about running! You may even join the throngs of runners who decide to create blogs so you too, can tell the world about your training. If you haven't gotten there yet, just know once you do, it's an amazing feeling. And uhh, the better looking body doesn't hurt, either.
It bears repeating that these are my own thoughts and opinions and that I am certainly no authority on running. I just thought it would be helpful, as someone who has recently taken up running, to share some tips for fellow beginners while they're still fresh in my mind. Hopefully these help someone along their way!
