Signed up for my first half marathon!

[Jolt]

I finally did it...registered for the Maine Half Marathon Sept. 30 in Portland. Someone from work signed up with me as well so that should be fun. Time to step up my running distance this summer--currently my long runs are about 6-7 miles. Any good advice from half-marathon veterans?

[Tri Girl]

Yay!! If you're already at 6-7 miles you'll have NO problem with the half! I love halfs- the training is not as time consuming as training for a full, and you finish in time to still eat brunch. Yippee for you!!!

[bluejellybean]

Yeah, congrats! I just did a 1/2 last Sunday, it's my favourite distance, but now I'm training for a full and ultra! I don't really have any advice, but just have fun and enjoy the training...you'll love the feeling crossing the finish line!

[Wahine]

Congratulations on signing up!!

I agree, if you're already running 6 to 7 miles, you'll have no trouble training up to the half. You do want to start to experiment with what you're going to take in for fuel during the race, a half is just long enough that you will need to take in something to keep from bonking. A gel or two works for me, but YMMV.

Be sure to allow for rest days and weeks.

Have fun!

[OakLeaf]

Besides nutrition, the distance is long enough that you'll need water on your longer training runs. Either choose a route that passes by water fountains if one's available - take your bike to stash water bottles for yourself ahead of a run - or figure out what works best for you to carry water.

You'll do great! With the base you already have, you can definitely add in some speedwork if you want to.

[Jolt]

Thanks everyone! Good point about fueling...I will have to experiment and find what my stomach can tolerate while running. As far as the comment about shoes, I don't think that will be a problem since I run in a few different types of minimal shoes (VFFs, thin water shoes and occasionally homemade huarache sandals). Wet feet don't seem to be a big problem for me...I run trails so it does happen sometimes and I haven't had problems with blisters. Today I went for a fairly easy run with my friend from work so that was fun.

[denda]

I am doing my first half in the morning

[Jolt]

I am doing my first half in the morning

So how did it go?

[OakLeaf]

I thought of another thing - if you plan to take fluids from the aid stations, practice. It takes some technique to get the water from cup to stomach without putting most of it either in your windpipe or on your jersey. Enter a shorter race that you know will have water stations, or ask a friend to hand you cups of water so you can practice.

Crease the cup to create a spout, tilt your head to the side, pour the water into your cheek, swallow when your head's back upright.

[skhill]

One thing I learned the hard way at my recent half-- think about what you'll be doing for lunch/ dinner after the race. I got home to realize that the fridge was pretty empty and even though I was very tired, I knew I had to get out to the store if I was to eat anything better than cold cereal or a PBJ that day...

[emily_in_nc]

One thing I learned the hard way at my recent half-- think about what you'll be doing for lunch/ dinner after the race. I got home to realize that the fridge was pretty empty and even though I was very tired, I knew I had to get out to the store if I was to eat anything better than cold cereal or a PBJ that day...

I think I would be treating myself to dinner out (or at least takeout!) if I'd completed a half. I would NOT be cooking!