This weekend I got this question via Twitter – any advice for a 1st time half marathon runner? It’s actually a pretty common question since the weeks before a race are taper (running less to rest) and you have plenty of time to worry about the miles ahead!
The good news is RER is here to share some tips for your half marathon race! There are things to set you up for a successful and stress free race day so many of the tips focus on preparation – getting you to the start with a plan to succeed so you can enjoy the day!
The Best Half Marathon Race Day Tips:
1. Trust your training. Show up confident that you with rock this! The miles and miles you’ve crossed off your list are done. Your body is ready. Get your mind in the game too.
2. Make a race day logistics plan. Look up packet pick up – where is it? do you need your id? do you need any other confirmation info?
Look up race day parking and the route. Plan how you will get to the start. Plan parking and if you’ll need money. Plan where you’ll meet people after.
Pro tip: Leave plenty of time to park, hit the porta potties and get to the start line keeping in mind a lot of other people are doing the same!
3. Coordinate with your cheer squad. If you are having friends and family come to the race figure out what mile they’ll be at so you don’t miss each other. Give them an idea of your start time and when you’ll be at mile x.
Plan a location to meet at the finish. The finish line will probably be crowded. Many races coordinate family meeting areas.
4. Lay out your gear the night before. What are you going to wear from top to bottom? Lay everything out the day before so you are not scrambling and don’t forget anything.
5. Race research. Look up the course map. Check where the aid stations will be located. Check what the energy drink or gels are in case you have a sensitive stomach and can’t just take what the race offers. If you are a seasoned runner make a race strategy plan for how you’ll run and what you’re A, B and D goals are.
Now’s the time to back out of the race if you realize there is a massive hill at mile 12 too!
6. HAVE FUN! Running is a hobby! (*Unless you’re Kara Goucher and in that case… thank you for reading my blog I can die happy now.)
You are doing this for FUN! Enjoy the run. Enjoy the start line. Enjoy every mile in between! You only get one chance to run your first half marathon!
Related Running Blog Posts:
How do you know you’re ready for a half marathon?
The Best Half Marathon Training plans
Training for a Half Marathon Tips
Question: If you had to forget one thing on the list what would you be willing to sacrifice?
Me – Music. I don’t use chafe stuff, but I feel like that’s cheating to say something I don’t use anyway.
I could go without a hat. Plus double the sunscreen for this fellow redhead!
My first half was great, I had everything prepare and trusted my training. I relaxed and tried not to stress out when people passed me, I knew I was running at pace and didn’t want to speed up to keep up just to burn out later. I’m training for my first full now.. I have an 18 mile run this weekend(that’ll be my new longest.) Any different tips for the full 26.2?? Every time I have to run a new longest distance I get really nervous…
I’d have to say the music. I feel nekkid without a watch, workout or otherwise and after so many years swimming/lifeguarding/etc around pools could not live w/o sunglasses or sunscreen.
BTW – thanks for this post, running my first half in October (RnR San Jose – I think they might have the music covered) :o)
Monica, great tips. I have done all of the above before a Half Marathon. There is NO WAY, I could run without my music…nope, not happening, not ever. I would have to leave my sun glasses behind. 🙂
Great tips sharing now!
I would forget my music. I hardly ever run with it anyways but during a big race there is always tons to look at, listen to and entertain yourself with. Listen to the entertainment, laugh at the signs and get lost in the energy in the crowd.
OOh I would definitely sacrifice looking at the race map. I usually don’t do this anyway because that’s my idea of living dangerously.
Thing I would NEVER EVER give up: Cheering squad! If you’re lucky enough to have one, you had better do everything in your power to know where they will be and make sure you see them so you can feel the love while you’re feeling the pain!
This is a great list! I’mm about to run my first half marathon in 4 weeks! xD
Great tips– especially # 1 and 6! It’s so easy to get caught up and not enjoy yourself. Have a great week 🙂
Just have fun is my favorite tip! 🙂
As long as I had sunglasses, I could skip the hat. I also could skip fuel/gels. I don’t generally need to “fuel” on course for a half; I’m fine with water. I could not do with out anti-chafe; but have forgotten it one time and had to stop by the first aid tent for vaseline (it’s not as good).
All good tips! I remember YOU ran the first half I ever did 🙂 –the Cinco de Mayo in Irvine, benefiting PCRF about 3 years ago. I loved that race and the family-focused after party gave off such a great vibe. I want to run that one again (hopefully in 2015).
great tips! i would definitely be willing to sacrifice music — i love running without it.
I’ve accidentally forgotten music before and the race has gone fine! I’ve also forgotten bodyglide before and that is NO BUENO.
If I had to forget something, I could go without the sunglasses and/or hat. I’ve done that before and it was doable – even with the sun in my eyes. I was on the fence with fuel / water because if they have it on the course I’d probably be fine.
My first half is in less than 8 weeks. It seems like only yesterday I was counting in months.
I definitely need my music; plus it’s all on my phone and I need that to call my husband when I’m done. I’d have to say I’d be okay with forgetting my sunglasses since I can always pull my hat down if I need to.
this is just the post i needed to read – i am now 25 days out from my first half marathon and completely freaking out that i havent trained enough! I have been running for a while now and following a training program – just need to trust that I am prepared. I could definitely forget my music, I generally prefer to take in the buzz around me than listen to music while I run. I am not really looking for a great time, just want to finish! 🙂
Agree on the cheer squad coordination. I ran the AZ Rock n Roll half as my first and thought I could just call my family but turns out at the finish line when so many people are texting and calling your messages and calls may not go through. We spent awhile trying to find each other.
Also there were two finish lines-one for the full and one for the half marathon and they we’re waiting for me at the full. So yes check the map and coordinate:)!
Hmmm…I would also add “hydrate, hydrate, hydrate” throughout the week. Good luck “Shell Loves Fitness”!
I could probably skip music, too. I’ve started listening to podcasts & audiobooks while running, so I feel like there isn’t much of a difference between those and not having anything at all!
I totally agree about getting to the race early. It’s nice to get to use the porta potties before there are huge lines. 🙂 If I had to go without one of your race day items, I think I’d forgo the hat/visor (assuming it’s not too cold)–if I have sunglasses I’m okay without it…unless I can’t have a headband.
Lol at the message to Kara Goucher. I love the cheer squad tip – I totally forgot to coordinate with mine my first race. Also, the minion photo that goes with it = awesome. My fiance and I just got minion graham crackers as an engagement gift, so I have minions on the brain.
Thank you so much for your tips and responding to my question! I would say that I could go without music for my first time at the Disneyland half because there will be lots of entertainment on the course. Hope to see you there!
You’re very right about Disney races being so entertaining you don’t need music. When I ran the Disneyland half last year, I stopped my iPod so many times I eventually just left it off. There were bands, character photo spots, a gorgeous sunrise. Just all good stuff!
I think if I had to, I could live without the watch. I wouldn’t like it, but I could do it, particularly since my goals tend to be more around completion rather than timing, so I can just use the mile markers to know how much farther I have to go.
I just read my recap of my first half-I forgot how painful it was! The halfs after didn’t hurt anywhere near as much! I guess if I had to forget one thing maybe it would be goo? I might be able to get by without.
Yeah, forget the goal remember to have fun. I like it 🙂
A friend told me I would always remember my first half marathon. That is so true–unfortunately it was lots of bad memories though. I made every mistake in the book, got very sick at mile 11, and walked the rest of the race. But that experience gave me the fuel to do it right, so I ran my second a month later & had a great experience. Wish I’d read tips like this before my first!
I love that you bounced back so fast! You rock!
I could skip the sunglasses if i had my hat or visor =)
I would forget the music if I had to pick – I think it would just make me talk to/pester other runners more than I already do! 🙂
I could totally forgo the music! Sometimes I can’t even make it a whole 5k with my iPod in. Something about it just bothers me!
These are all things I take into consideration when going to mini meet cross country races!
I will go with music too–I always forget the anti-chaff stuff, but by now, it’s the norm. I usually don’t race with a visor or hat unless it is cold or raining–or sunglasses, or a belt…Wow! I sound like a minimalist…
I have a recurring nightmare that I arrive at half without my earbuds to listen to music. I just can’t fathom running 13 miles without music!