8 Things I learned leading up to my half marathon debut
When I started writing this, I was three days away from making my debut in the half marathon, a goal I have worked towards over the past year. (By the time I finished this, it was 3 days post-race day, but I’ll cover that separately)
In 2022, shortly after finishing my first 10km race in Limassol, Cyprus, my natural competitive instincts kicked in to do something more, challenge myself to something noteworthy, and see what my body is capable of.
Truth be told, I’ve been following Gerda Steyn since she won the South African Comrades in 2019 and set the up-run record of 5:58:53. As she became the first woman to run the Comrades in under 6 hours, most of my running inspiration has been drawn from her.
If you’re a wanna-be “sort-of-good” runner like me and don’t know who she is, it’s time you look her up. On Google. Or ChatGPT. But just not the library.
Back to my debut, though.
Usually, when I start a new hobby, I get completely obsessed and fully immerse myself in as much research, info, and general discussions as possible. Then, when the work gets going and the going gets tough, I get bored. And quit. (Earlier this year, I wrote an entire emotional blurp about how my running journey started and how it’s changing my life.)
Still, I’m surprised that a year has passed, and I am still as obsessed with running as I was when I started. And even after I sustained a relatively severe groin injury that would’ve otherwise let me throw in the towel and convince myself that I’m an amateur with unrealistic goals, I kept going.
So, while the sport is having a significant global moment and rising in popularity, I have learned a few things during my training leading up to the big day that I want to share and (hopefully) inspire someone to put their shoes on and run with me.
Please note, if you’re looking for tips for beginner-intermediate runners who want to take a shot at their first half or full marathon, you can find “copy-paste” info within seconds on Google. Nowadays, you don’t even have to open the webpage and will immediately see relevant content on the search page with a paid ad likely convincing you that investing in the most expensive Hoka shoes is the most important thing you can do to get better at running.
Of course, we all know this, but to ensure I add a disclaimer, let it be known that this list is purely populated from my personal, tried-and-tested experience, so here we go.
TIPS ON RUNNING BETTER (FOR LONGER)
1. You really need to love it. But you probably won’t (at first). Simply put, just like there is no one size fits all diet, not all exercises are created equally. For example, some people get those endorphins with a HIIT workout early in the morning. Others get a kick out of doing 100 push-ups with a kid sitting on their back and then posting it on TikTok.
Each to their own, but to my point, if you don’t like running to start, you’ll most likely stop sooner than it took for the thought to cross your mind. At the same time, if you enjoy it but find it hard initially, try to change your strategy or do things differently before quitting and telling yourself, “I tried, but it’s just not for me.”
2. Cancel the outside noise. As you progress and start taking things more seriously, I can (almost) guarantee that those happy hormones will want you to keep coming back for more and kick things up a notch. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll also slowly become more competitive with yourself and others.
When this happens, a shift in priorities and specific lifestyle changes occur that some of your closest friends and family simply won’t understand. Unfortunately, that lack of awareness and understanding often leads to a side comment or two that will leave you questioning why you started (which leads to the last point of this article).
If you don’t remember why you started and unless you really don’t give a sh*t about others’ opinions, chances are you’ll get discouraged to continue. I encourage everyone to color outside the lines. If that means leaving the pack and finding a new one, then perhaps that’s what’s needed to grow into your running shoes.
3. Take a break from tech. Yes, I’m talking about that Garmin watch you absolutely “had” to get; otherwise, no one will know (including you) that you’re officially into running. But, on a more serious note, nowadays, getting sidetracked and fully absorbed by all the data that tech wants to bombard us with is easy. And, while I’m all for it and am actually preaching to myself here, it’s essential to take a break and simply appreciate the joy of running.
The reason I say this is because one of two things could happen when we obsess over the data: Either you get so caught up in the running pace, heart rate, or other metrics that you end up overcompensating during the workout, which is entirely counteractive to your training schedule (if you have one), or you’d be disheartened by the results afterward because it wasn’t how it “was supposed” to be.
People’s experiences differ, and some might not have any negative connotations to the tech and metrics of it all. Still, everyone can benefit from taking a break and appreciate that they got a workout done instead of binge-watching the latest Netflix cringe.
4. Prioritize but don’t let it consume you. If you don’t take anything but one thing from this entire post, it’s this. Training is best when prioritized first thing in the morning. That way, it’s done and out of the way for the rest of the day, leaving you with a sense of accomplishment and, most likely, a notable increase in energy levels.
Usually, when I leave my running to the last minute, the last minute ends up being used for all reasons other than running, leading to a vicious cycle of missed sessions and regret.
Still, if you can’t squeeze in even 10 minutes of activity in the morning, don’t let it overwhelm you. Instead, try again tomorrow and move on.
5. Limit alcohol intake. Written by someone who considers herself a wine lover, this one is probably important. Alcohol will, without a doubt, hinder any progress you made in your training. If you’re serious about your running goals, waking up to even the slightest hangover will leave you unmotivated to train. Even worse, if you somehow manage to push through the hangover, get out, and run, you’ll likely regret your life decisions halfway through. (More so than usual)
Running is hard as it is, so don’t make it even more challenging. It took me a while to fully understand this. But once I did and drastically reduced my consumption, it significantly improved my running performance and motivation.
6. Learn about nutrition. As you improve and start running longer distances, you’ll notice a considerable difference in appetite. More specifically, most runners will experience increased cravings for carbs. Carbs. And more carbs. And understandably so.
Endurance runners will need a lot of energy. While carbohydrates are the best and preferred source to refuel our energy reserves, it is essential to understand the difference between simple and complex carbs and how they respond to your digestive system.
You might feel bloated and sluggish and eat more than is needed. Similarly, if you consume too much protein in the form of red meat to feel more satiated before a run, you could experience severe cramps halfway through your training, and fifty reasons why never running again is a good idea.
Understanding how to fuel adequately may take time. Still, while trial and error occasionally leave you sending a poop emoji to your significant other, the efforts will be worthwhile.
7. Don’t sweat the big stuff. Yes — you will definitely reap the benefits of investing in a good pair of running shoes, but splurging on the best of the best when you can’t afford it, won’t make you a better runner.
One of the best things I did for a better running experience was to get my running gait tested by a professional. It saves you time and money to determine which running shoe best suits you and keeps the guesswork out of the way.
As soon as you have your shoes covered and a decent pair (or three) of breathable and comfortable training gear, you’re all set while the rest sorts itself out. If not, an outpour of rain leaving you soaked and cold when you least expect it surely will.
8. Remember your “why.” Lastly, and most importantly, if you’ve been following a training program for a while and see minimal or no significant progress, it’s easy to get discouraged and give up.
Leading up to race day and on days when things didn’t go exactly as planned, I often allowed self-doubt to creep in and questioned why I started. On a side note, it’s necessary that your “why” have a bigger purpose than simply wanting to lose weight or any other inconsequential reason. For example, creating and sustaining long-term healthy habits for increased longevity is more likely to keep you going than checking the scale every other day.
While there will always be days when we feel unmotivated and discouraged and instead opt for Cheetos and Netflix, remembering my “why” has helped me stay the course, see the bigger picture, and keep going.
Til next time, keep running.