Hearing the words one mile left never felt so sweet. I was on the home stretch towards finishing my first half-marathon, and actually replied wow. The training had paid off. After hearing those words, seeing the finish line in sight, and then finally making it across, there are at least 3 steps I’ve learned that can be helpful if you want to run your first half-marathon or just become more athletic:
1. Learn from running experts (or fitness sites), both online and in print.
It can be exciting to embark on training that will test you mentally and physically. However, if you want to train cautiously—preventing injury and increasing chances at successful workouts—you ought to learn and keep learning. I picked up a book by Jeff Galloway, an Olympian runner, and read through the parts that I thought were important for me. I also was convinced by Competitor magazine that running “several half-marathons” was a must before attempting anything further. (I had run a 10k years earlier.) While my book and magazine were in print, you can also (which I did too) learn from popular online websites like Runner’s World and others.
2. Find a balanced degree of training, what works for you, ultimately.
Remember that exercise can make you feel great. The endorphins that collect after a workout are natural “feel-good” chemicals that can help improve your mood. They can create feelings of happiness, provide willpower and boost confidence. If you ever feel sluggish, going to the gym is a great way to boost your attitude and “can-do” sense. At the same time, you don’t want to overdo your training. Find what works for you. Running about three times a week was recommended by Mr. Jeff Galloway, so, that’s what I chose to do to prepare for my half-marathon.
3. Work towards preventing injury and staying healthy.
You may encounter body signals, like knee discomfort, during training and or exercise that are important to be aware of. It may be wise to consult health experts, who may provide tricks and or exercises to help alleviate the discomfort and help you continue your training. They may also tell you to rest or even not run. Prepare yourself. For myself, after months of regular running and then two months of training, I was ready to run the half-marathon. It is recommended, for anyone looking to pick up long distances or more intense exercise, to listen to body aches and discomforts in order to prevent injury and stay healthy. By staying healthy, you can ensure a greater number of positive workouts and hopefully wonderful memories.
So, get ready to stay in shape and enjoy working out!! You can do it!!
Runners head toward the finish line at the San Diego Half-Marathon.
