Quote: Because of your smile, you make life more
beautiful.
-Thich Nhat Hanh
Motivation Tips for Running Your First Half Marathon
Running a half marathon is a major accomplishment for
many people, an item to check off the bucket list. At 13.1 miles, a half
marathon is long enough to be a serious distance run, but not so long that it
feels like an impossible feat. Starting and maintaining a training regimen is
tough, but with planning and determination, anyone can successfully train for
their first half marathon.
The first step in your training plan should be
registering for the big race. Half marathons are increasingly popular, so a
quick online search should give you plenty of options for upcoming races in
your town. Pick a race that is far enough in the future to allow you time to
train, depending on your fitness level. If you are new to running, you'll
want to choose a race six months to a year in advance. Once you've paid
the entrance fee and have a date written on your calendar, you'll feel more
motivated to begin a serious training plan.
If at all possible, find someone to sign up to run the
half marathon with you. Not wanting to disappoint your running companion can be
motivation when you might otherwise quit. Checking in on training progress and
sharing stories of rainy runs and sore muscles makes the grueling process just
a little easier.
After you've signed up for a race and found a running
buddy, it is time to formulate a plan. There are plenty of free training
plans available online. A good training plan incorporates different types of
workouts: long runs, hills, intervals, etc. Tailor your plan to fit your
schedule; for example, your training plan may have you doing a long run on
Sundays, but maybe Tuesdays work better for you. Make alterations as you need
to, but try to keep the intent of the plan as best you can. Your training will
have you building mileage each week, which is important in building your
stamina and preparing you for the big day. It's also important to take
advantage of your scheduled rest days. These rest days are vital to your
overall running success because they allow time for your body to recover and
re-energize. A rest day can include yoga, walking or some other form of gentle exercise,
but no running, strength training or anything else strenuous.
Be patient with yourself. You probably will have a
setback at some point in your training. Travel, illness, injury or just plan
laziness can cause you to slip up at times. When this happens, just
forgive yourself and pick up where you left off.
Finally, carve out time for running. No matter how
busy your life is, if running a half marathon is important to you, you will
find the time to train. You will probably have to sacrifice something else in
your life: sleep, personal time, hobbies, TV time, going out with friends, etc.
So if you make peace with that fact now, it will be easier to stick to your
plan and achieve your goal. To guarantee your success, you should schedule time
for your workout, whether that means getting up an hour earlier, running during
your lunch hour, or hitting up the treadmill in the evenings. Just schedule it
and be consistent.
Running your first half marathon is worth the
sacrifice, fatigue and soreness. Not only are the health benefits
worthwhile, but it is exhilarating to achieve a personal goal by your own
strength and endurance.
