5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Running My First 13.1
Running your first half marathon is an exciting milestone, but it can also be full of surprises - some of which you don’t realize until you’re in the thick of training or standing at the starting line. Looking back, I definitely learned a few lessons the hard way. If you’re preparing for your first 13.1, here are five things I wish someone had told me before I was at the starting line.
1. Respect the Distance, But Don’t Fear It
When I signed up for my first half marathon, I was soooo scared. Thirteen-point-one miles felt impossibly far, and that fear made me more nervous than I needed to be. On top of that, I wasn’t as prepared as I wanted to be (more on that later), which added to my doubts.
Here’s what I wish I knew: it’s okay to feel nervous, but don’t let it hold you back. Respect the distance - pace yourself, follow your training plan - but don’t let fear rob you of the joy of training and racing. Trust me, you’re capable of so much more than you think.
2. Learning to Fuel During the Race is Essential
Confession: before my first half marathon, I had never eaten anything during a run. I did a great job carb-loading the night before and morning of, but I completely relied on the fuel provided on the race course. That was a big mistake.
The aid station offering fuel wasn’t early enough for my needs, and when I finally got to it, I didn’t like what they had. By then, I was already feeling low on energy, and it was too late to bounce back. Practice fueling during your training runs to figure out what works for you - gels, chews, or even real food. That way, you’ll have a plan for race day that keeps you strong from start to finish.
3. Buy New Shoes About a Month Before the Race
I trained in the same pair of shoes for months and then wore them on race day, too. By the time the race rolled around, those shoes were completely worn out, and I paid the price. My feet were wrecked after the race, and it took me days to recover.
If I could do it over, I’d buy a fresh pair of shoes about a month before the race. This gives you time to break them in during your final training runs without putting too many miles on them. Your feet (and legs!) will thank you when you cross that finish line pain-free.
4. Don’t Skip Your Long Runs
Life happens. Some weeks, mid-week runs just don’t happen - and that’s okay. But if there’s one thing to prioritize, it’s your long runs. Those miles are where you build the endurance you’ll need on race day.
Heading into my first half marathon my longest run ever was only 7 miles - not nearly enough for where I was in my journey, and I paid the price for it! I hit the wall at 4 miles and a big part of that was the metal block of knowing I had to run nearly double my longest run ever!
So, learn from my mistake and prioritize your long rungs! If something comes up, don’t be afraid to adjust your schedule. Move your long run a day or two earlier or later, but don’t skip it. Trust me, the long runs are what make race day possible!
5. Take Into Consideration the Time of Year You’ll Be Training
When I signed up for a Southern California race in early February, I thought, Perfect! The weather will be amazing! And it was. The race-day weather was everything I hoped for. What I didn’t consider was that I’d be training in November, December, and January… while living in southern Wisconsin.
Spoiler: I hate being cold. Training through the Midwest winter was miserable for me, and it's a huge part of the reason I skipped so many long runs. If you’re someone who struggles with certain weather conditions (extreme cold, heat, etc.), keep that in mind when choosing a race. For me, a fall race would have been much more enjoyable to train for, and I would have stepped up to the starting line much more prepared, and had a much better race.
Final Thoughts
Your first half marathon is an amazing experience, but it’s also a big learning opportunity. These are the five lessons I wish I’d known going in - and hopefully, they’ll help you feel more prepared and confident when it’s your turn to conquer 13.1!
Have you run your first half marathon yet? If so, what’s something you wish you’d known before race day? Let me know in the comments - I’d love to hear your tips and stories! 🏃
Happy running!
