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My best friend is running her first half marathon in the morning. I’ve been texting her with suggestions and tips – but then it occurred to me that it might be slightly less annoying if I just wrote it all down in one blog post.
I’m certainly no expert in racing, but I WAS a total newbie just a couple of short years ago, and I remember what it feels like to be nervous and to have no idea what to expect on race day. I’ve picked up a thing or two during 5 half marathons (tomorrow will be my 6th) – some from my awesome running friends, and some from my own trial and error. So here goes.
source: 1st Place Sports on Facebook
10 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before My First Half Marathon:
- Bring a bag and check it. Pack comfy shoes (I bring flip flops) and a towel. A change of clothes is good too, but you can leave that in the car. I can’t stress the shoe thing enough. After my first half, my feet hurt so badly that I chose to walk barefoot through the gravel parking lot instead of keeping my shoes on.
- Get to the race early. The Port-A-Potty lines are notoriously long. If you even think you might have to pee, GO. Don’t try to hold it. Suck it up and just use the Port-A-Potty – and if you absolutely can’t stomach it, find a big tree.
- There will probably be Port-A-Potties on the course. Don’t make yourself miserable by trying to hold your pee for the entire race. The first few Port-A-Potties usually seem to be the most crowded, so if you’re concerned about losing precious minutes by waiting in line, you might have better luck a little further down the course. A quick pee in a Port-A-Potty with no line shouldn’t take you more than about 90 seconds. Personally, I think those extra seconds are worth the lovely feeling of an empty bladder.
- Don’t change your breakfast routine. If you’re used to running on an empty stomach, don’t start researching race day breakfast foods the night before your half marathon. You’ve probably heard it before, even if you’re a newbie – but it bears repeating. DON’T DO ANYTHING NEW ON RACE DAY. Experiment on training runs. Not on race day.
- Bring your own fuel. Some races will have “fuel stations,” but you shouldn’t take any chances. What if the fuel provided isn’t the fuel you trained with? And what if the new stuff upsets your stomach? (See #3.) I’m a GU girl, but during my last half they provided a different brand of gel at the fuel stations. I tried the new stuff, and while it didn’t make me sick, I wasn’t prepared for the consistency. It was much runnier than I expected – as a result, I ended up with goo (not GU) all over my hands. It was gross.
- You’ll need carbs. If you haven’t experimented with fuel (gels, beans, chews), which I highly recommend you do before your next race, you should still bring carbs to help get you through the miles. Bring something that you know you can tolerate – something you’ve eaten before without GI distress. I like to bring Starburst or Sour Patch Kids. Pretzels are popular too. There’s lots of research on this and I’ll save the scientific stuff for another post – but as a rule of thumb, you’ll need to eat carbs any time that you’re running for longer than an hour. I usually start munching about 45 minutes into a run, or earlier if I’m feeling hungry or sluggish.
- Don’t bring a fancy hydration belt or water bottle. If you’re concerned that the water at the water stations won’t be enough for you, then bring a disposable water bottle that you can ditch when it’s empty or when you get tired of holding it. You’re probably not going to leave your $30 hydration belt on the side of the road, no matter how annoying it gets.
- Keep it simple. Another reason to leave the hydration belt home – every time you use a Port-A-Potty, you’re going to have to take everything off and then put it back on again. Not only does this take time, it’s hard to do when you’re soaked with sweat. I recommend bringing a small pouch (I’ll be running with my FlipBelt tomorrow) or wearing clothing with pockets with enough room for your fuel, and anything else you absolutely have to have during your run.
- Bring entertainment. Crap happens. The people you sign up to run with might not be the people you end up crossing the finish line with. On more than one occasion, I’ve made plans to run with a friend, and then at the starting line or a couple of miles into the race, they decide to run at a faster pace than me. Your friend might get hurt. She might be slowing you down. Whatever it is – have a Plan B. Bring headphones and music. Make sure your iPod and/or phone is fully charged. If you end up running alone unexpectedly, and I really hope you don’t, you’ll thank me.
- Don’t give yourself the pressure of a time goal. I don’t care how fast you are, how fit you are, or how many 5K’s you’ve run. A half marathon is different, and your only goal for your first one should be to finish it. Let yourself physically and mentally adjust to the rigor of running 13.1 miles. Then go ahead and set that time goal for next time.
I won’t sugarcoat this. Running your first half marathon can hurt. But the feeling of crossing that finish line and feeling that medal placed around your neck is indescribable. So enjoy your bagel, bask in the moment, and then hobble out to the parking lot and put that 13.1 magnet on your car. You’ll have earned it.
Do you have anything to add to this list? I’d love to hear them!
Good luck Ami, and anyone else with a race coming up!
April @ Everyday Fitness and Nutrition says
One thing I always tell people is to enjoy the race. Running is such a cool way to see the city and all those people are there cheering for YOU. Just enjoy the day!
Colorado Springs Pedestrian Accident Attorneys says
Good information. Lucky me I ran across your website by chance (stumbleupon).
I have bookmarked it for later!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
So glad i just found this! all things I have to remind myself of before the next run. I definitely need to find fuel this time! Thanks for the tips. IF you have any others please leave me a comment on the post – I’m down to try anything to have a good run 🙂
sharon says
Hey Sam! Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. Do you use any kind of anti-chafing product? That’s another good one to remember. Body Glide seems to be the most popular one, but I use something from Gold Bond that my husband picked up at Walmart, and it works fine. I put it on my feet (especially in spots where I tend to blister), inner thighs, all around the bottom of my bra, and the insides of my arms. Life changing stuff.
I’ll post here again if I think of any more. Good luck with training!!! 🙂
Karen Halstead says
I ran my first half last April and am running another one in December. For me, I have found it addicting. I almost burst into tears finishing my first race. I came in at 2 hours and 51 minutes. My goal was to not be last. I felt accomplished! I also found a group to run with, as I had come alone. They were running intervals and gave me some of the great advice you shared. I didn’t know anything about GU or bringing anything with me. I didn’t even have an ipod.
sharon says
I didn’t know any of that stuff either. Actually, my best friend (the one who ran her first half last weekend) didn’t know about bringing GU/fuel either – that’s what prompted me to write the post. Good luck in December! xo
Erica @ erica finds says
Great advice – re: #9 Skip the music and talk to strangers. The one bummer for me over time has been that since everyone wears ipods now, no one talks. I have made great friends at and in races. Try it!
Amanda Nyx says
Ooooh yes! I agree with Erica – talk to a stranger! As a newbie in the city and in the running community, this has gone so far to keep me involved in my new hobby (obsession?) and has made me some friendships that mean the world to me!
sharon says
Amanda, I’m going to keep that in mind. I’m a little traumatized though. During my first marathon, I ended up running 20 miles by myself. It was rough, and I don’t think I would’ve hung in there without my music. But making new friends would probably be even better. 🙂
Amanda Nyx says
I definitely keep my music available, you never know how the awkwardly forward approach is gonna work! But for example, my first “long” race (10NM/11.5miles), I was incredibly nervous and didn’t think I’d ever make it to the finish. I approached a couple who was there to run together and were standing near my (hopeful) pace group, and struck up a conversation about their running experience. I ran with the woman the entire way, and didn’t even realize how far I’d actually run! She gave me confidence and courage to keep going, plus the run was much more enjoyable sharing life stories! I can’t imagine having run that race without a new friend…
sharon says
Hmmm…that’s something to think about. I’m a little shy, so I guess I’m afraid to be that creepy girl lurking outside a conversation. 🙂 I’m going to keep your advice in my head.
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
Great tips! In a couple of weeks I’ll be running my first half in a couple of years…I needed that reminder to bring flip flops!
sharon says
Oh, good luck!!! The flip flops – oh, man. I needed that as a reminder to myself too. Thank goodness my feet never hurt as badly as they did that first race.
Amanda Nyx says
Oh man #10! It’s so important to get that feel first, and not to stress about your splits early on! I mean, at least for those of us who KNOW we aren’t winning the race! Just sit back, relax, and try to enjoy the ride.
sharon says
Ha, exactly. There is no first place medal in my future. 🙂 Even 6 half marathons in, I try not to get too hung up on my times. (It’s hard though.)
Janice- The Fitness Cheerleader says
Great post! I would also recommend bringing a garbage bag in your spibelt to use if there’s rain in the forecast.
sharon says
Thanks, Janice! That’s a great one. This past February, I finished my 2nd marathon in a thunderstorm. I would’ve given anything for a garbage bag!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
Great tips especially the time goal. New runners put too much pressure on themselves to finish in a certain time when the actual accomplishment is finishing!
sharon says
Yeah. Just finishing a half marathon is a huge deal! I am so immersed in the running community that I forget that sometimes, you know?
Jill Conyers (@jillconyers) says
When I think about my first race a few things just make me laugh. I’ve come so far! Great memories!
sharon says
I know, me too! I had no idea what to expect. I remember being totally shocked by all the cups on the ground at the water stops. 🙂