Ronnie's Half Marathon Training Tips
Hi Gals,
This weekend I'm heading to Portland with one of my best friends to run my sixth half marathon. When she took me out on my first four-mile outdoor run in college, I thought I was going to pass out and die right on the street corner. But time does heal, and so does a little training :). Over the years I've run more and more and now I really enjoy the mental and physical benefits of running.
Running your first half marathon is a pretty amazing feeling. You've trained for months, starting at just a few miles, and now somehow your body has run a full 13.1 miles. It's exhilarating.
So today I'm sharing a few tips I've used to make training for my half marathons more fun.
Stretch & pay attention to your form: The biggest thing stopping most people from completing a race is injury, not cardio abilitity. When you head out on a run, you're taking your previously sedentary body and telling it to get moving pretty instantaneously. Stretching tells your muscles it's time to wake up! I also recommend going to a running store and asking someone to look at your gate, or the way you run. I used to run with my toes pointed outward, which gave me horrible runner's knee. Once I straightened that out, my knee pain was a lot better.
Eat carbs and pop a Midol before your run: Carbs give your body energy. I can see a huge difference when I have a piece of toast and a coconut water before my runs. It's honestly a lot more enjoyable because I have the energy to do what my mind wants it to do! Also, I tend to cramp up on my longer runs so I take Midol which helps with leg and foot cramping too - who knew!?
Schedule out your runs: When you sign up for your race, sit down and plan your running schedule. Most schedules include a couple short runs during the week and one long run on the weekend, with some strength training sprinkled in. Here is an example schedule I've used. Depending on your fitness level, you can train for a half within two or three months.
Start each run slow: When you first head out on a run, start slow. Your body is just waking up and needs a little time to understand what you want it to do. Give at least until after your first mile before you really start to push your pace. This will make your training feel a lot less "hard."
Listen to your favorite podcast or book: I've had some of my best runs when I have an inspiring audio book or podcast in my ear. Nike has guided runs on their Nike+ Run Club app which are amazing. This is also the app I use to track my miles. They interview famous Olympians, or other athletes who motivate you and inspire you to complete your training that day. Some of my other favorite podcasts to listen to are Optimal Living Daily, Optimal Health Daily, The Model Health Show and The Brendan Show (personal development).
Just put your shoes on and get out there: There will be many days during your training when going on a run sounds like the last thing you want to do. Even the most established athletes feel this way sometimes, especially when it requires you to get off your comfy couch or your warm bed. It's totally normal to feel this way and there is nothing wrong with you! My strategy is to just put on my shoes and hit the pavement. It's crazy how once you're out there, things just fall into place.
In all, our bodies are meant to move. We were born with trunks; arms and legs designed to propel us. So when you set out on your first run of the season, just remember that your body was built for this. You've just been sitting on your bum for a few months or hours and your body needs to remember what this whole movement thing feels like.
Hope you found this post helpful and you feel motivated to sign up for your first big race. I'll be on Insta-stories profiling my race on Sunday, March 18, so be sure to check in!
XOXO,
Ronnie