Lessons acquired from competing in a personal half marathon

Anticipated Experiences in Your Initial Racing Event

, and Administrator

2025 September 1 . 4:18 PM

2 min read

Lessons Gleaned from My Inaugural Half Marathon Experience

Lessons acquired from competing in a personal half marathon

Training for a half marathon without any running background can be an exciting yet challenging journey. One individual embarked on this adventure, sharing their experiences and insights.

Benefits of Training for a Half Marathon

Building Endurance and Fitness: Gradual increases in running distance led to significant improvements in cardiovascular health and muscular endurance over the training period.
Improved Mental Strength and Confidence: Completing the training and the race boosted psychological resilience and a sense of accomplishment.
Achievable Training Duration: The preparation period was manageable, typically lasting 16-20 weeks, making it less time-consuming compared to full marathons.
Health Benefits: Regular running during the training improved overall health, including weight management, metabolic fitness, and mood.
Accessible Race Opportunities: Numerous beginner-friendly half marathons with flatter courses and supportive environments were found, easing first-time runners into racing.

Challenges Faced During Training

Risk of Injury: New runners must be cautious, increasing mileage slowly to avoid injuries and taking rest days to allow recovery.
Physical and Mental Fatigue: Long runs and repetitive training demanded stamina and motivation, which could be daunting without prior running experience.
Learning Proper Technique and Hygiene: Balancing running form, fueling strategies, hydration, and choosing suitable gear required education and experimentation during training.
Time Commitment and Consistency: Training demanded at least 3-4 runs per week consistently for several months, which could be challenging to fit into a busy lifestyle.
Navigating Initial Difficulty: Starting from low mileage and building to race distances demanded patience; progress may feel slow and frustrating initially.

Equipment Choices

The author chose Hoka Mach 6 running shoes for the race, appreciating their appropriate cushion and support.
The Garmin Forerunner 55 was relied upon for running, thanks to its accurate GPS and pacing feature.
OpenRun Pro by Shockz bone-conducting headphones were used, providing awareness of the world around them and being waterproof.

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Goals

The author learned that running slow can help in running fast during training.
It's okay to walk during long runs according to the Run Walk Run technique.
Despite a two-week training break due to extensor tendonitis caused by tight shoelaces, the author successfully completed their first half marathon in September 2023.
The author's weight stayed the same during the training period, but they felt stronger and more confident overall.
Having an accountability partner and being creative to fit in workouts helped maintain training consistency, especially during unfavorable weather.
Every participant in the race had unique reasons for attending, and focusing on one's own race was essential.

In conclusion, with a structured plan emphasizing gradual progression, strength and cross-training, and attentive self-care, new runners can successfully prepare for a half marathon, gaining lasting benefits but needing to carefully manage common beginner challenges.