Hi guys. We all know that people who run have to tell people about it so, this is me productively doing that. Before I go into detail about the specifics of training for my half, I want to talk briefly about how I got started running in the first place.
My Background in Running:
I wasn’t always a runner. I didn’t particularly appreciate running until recently. Conditioning was the worst part of sports growing up and I nearly passed out after running an 8-minute half mile at the start of each softball practice. Some people can fucking walk faster than that. Now, I’m still a slow runner and there’s no shame in that. You don’t actually have to be fast to be a runner, you just have to run. That’s the only condition, the only criteria. You don’t have to meet a pace requirement, look like a runner, or even know what the hell you’re doing when you first begin. For me, I started getting into running my sophomore year of college and if I’m being honest, it was for all the wrong reasons. Like there was not one good reason, one sane reason I wanted to start running. Amongst other things, the retail therapy of buying an expensive pair of running shoes may have had something to do with it. But all bullshit aside I started training for my first 5k the summer of 2022.
I decided I wanted to run a half marathon after running my second 10k in December of 2023 (I ran my first in the summer of 2023). It was such a fun experience and training and working towards a goal like that is very rewarding. It gave me a lot to look forward to.
Half Marathon Training:
So in March 2024, I started my first phase of training for my half-marathon. I used the Nike Run Club App and followed the plan to a tee for the most part. My inner perfectionist made me. The Nike Half Marathon Training Program is awesome though. I was able to build endurance and speed while also improving my mental and emotional health. Running has been such a relaxing and therapeutic thing for me. I would have never thought that. But I guess when you have a playlist as good as mine that can happen.
I ran 13.1 miles for the first time ever in June 2024, just on my own. Then I restarted the 14-week program for my actual race scheduled for the beginning of October. Since it was in the midst of summer I did mostly outdoor runs. I also started using the guided runs in the NRC app during this second phase of my training. I fell in love with the guided runs and I lowkey fell in love with Coach Bennett—the global head coach of Nike Running. I also learned to love running because of the confidence it gave me. After running for 10 miles straight I felt like there was nothing I couldn’t do. Yes, that’s super cheesy. I apologize. But genuinely, I feel more positive about life after a run.
Running just makes me excited about life, more confident, more optimistic, more resilient, more creative, kinder, and bolder. Did I need to be a bolder person? No. But running did that for me anyway. Did I need to become a kinder person? 100%. I think running helped me with that too. There’s just so much you start to think about when you get to run for 2+ hours straight, and those things you start to think about make you better. At least in my experience, they do.
Now I’m not sure if what I’m articulating here makes any sense. But it does to me. If anyone can relate, awesome. If not, good thing this is for shits & giggles only.
Now switching gears a little I want to talk about some of my training strategies and things I found to be super helpful.
Things I used to improve my half-marathon training:
- I mentioned this already but the Nike Run Club app is extremely beneficial. I recommend you use the guided runs once in a while.
- Nathan water bottle. Hydration is a must for long runs and these bottles are super easy to hold and, your phone fits in there which is a plus.
- Running vest. Necessary for longer runs where you bring snacks or gels. I also keep my pepper spray, keys, and usually my phone in here too. I just ordered a cheap one from Amazon. Good enough is good enough.
- Headphones. I have Beats Studio 3’s. I love them but honestly, a headphone that isn’t noise cancelling would be a better option for running. I’ve heard good things about Shokz so I’ll link them on the resources page.
- Music that makes you either think or dance. The playlist has to have meaning or put some pep in your step. Check out my Spotify!
- Candy. Peach rings, Swedish fish, licorice, and gummy worms. When doing any run 7 miles or longer I bring one piece of candy per mile. Great for quick energy and keeps me motivated to get to the next mile. I pack these in my vest.
- Electrolytes. Especially when running outdoors in summer. I’m a propel stan. I know a lot of people love LMNT or Liquid IV.
- Carbs. Goes without saying.
- Good running shoes. I used Hoka Bondi 7’s & 8’s and Nike Vaporfly 3’s, but the options are endless.
Race Day:
I ran the MO Cowbell Half Marathon on October 6th, 2024. A little geeky, but I shit you not, I was so excited I could barely sleep the night before. The race started at 7:30 am and was an hour’s drive so I got up at 5. I prepared my snacks and bag the night before, so I didn’t have much to do to get ready. We got to Frontier Park close to 6:30 so I had plenty of time to stretch, use the restroom, and chat. I went to my designated corral about 15 minutes before the start of the race to get my music ready and pull up the guided run I was going to listen to. There was an insane amount of people there, but I liked that part. It was motivating to see all these people with the same values and goals as me.
Now—the race part. It was so much fun, and I ended up finishing a lot sooner than I anticipated. I took the first few miles slow and controlled as always, but it was sort of difficult to pace myself with a ton of people passing me. Around miles 4-9 I got my wings, but miles 10 & 11 were by far the worst. These two miles were gradually uphill, and the sun was beating in my face the entire time. And it was hot. But once the hill was over and we got back into the shade, I was revived. That also meant I had about a mile left so I picked up the pace. I finished the race in 2 hours and 29 minutes, and my average pace was 11:25. I was proud of myself—first and foremost because I just ran my first half marathon, but secondly because I finished a lot quicker than I thought I would. The first time I ran a half in June for practice I finished in 3 hours and 1 minute. So, essentially, I shaved off over 30 minutes in 14 weeks, which is something to be proud of.
Closing:
To conclude the post, I just want to say that this experience has truly been a blessing. I think a lot of the time, we take our bodies and abilities for granted. Yeah, sometimes running has felt like a giant pain in my ass, especially when it’s hot outside. But I still run. I think running is a way for me to appreciate and celebrate my body. The joy and satisfaction of running my first half-marathon was absolutely worth the effort. The challenge was just enough to push me, but not enough to make me give up. So, moving forward, I hope to run two half marathons in 2025, and then finally go for 26.2 in 2026. It’s going to be hard. That’s it, that’s the sentence. But I’m not too scared because I know I can do hard things.