I am running my first half-marathon, any suggestions?

Question

It is in one week. I have been running consistantly for only about 9 months. I run about 8 miles 3 times a week. I have never run further than 8 miles, so I am concerned, but I am still going for it. When I run, my body still feels like it can go more, but my mind is the problem, I need motivation. Also what should I eat the day prior to and day of run? Oh I am also scared that I will have to use the bathroom during the run and there will be no porta potties. I don't want to eat or drink too much so that this would be a problem, but i don't want to eat too little. I heard some take immodium. Anyway any thoughts, suggestions, encouragement, would really be appreciated.

Answer 1

Go to runnersworld.com, it has some 1/2 marathon specific stuff under the "training" tab.



Running is so mental...basically think "tough" and remember these quotes:



"Whoever said anybody has a right to give up?"

- Marian Wright Edelman



"Never, never, never give up."

- Winston Churchill





"Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure."

- George E. Woodberry



"There's no substitute for guts."

- Paul Bear Bryant



"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."

– Lance Armstrong



"A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish himself into exhausting pace, and then at the end, punish himself even more."

- Steve Prefontaine

Answer 2

Dont take immodium. That will flush your body and leave you dehydrated.

Eat some dry toast, or bagel, or plain pancake for breakfast about 1-2 hours before your race. I use GU energy gel 15 minutes before starting the race and then another one after the race alon with some water. You'll be running for a couple of hours, but don't worry about having to go to the bathroom. Your body will probably use whatever food or water you have eaten. Try to go to the bathroom just before the race so try to eliminate the posibility. There should be watering stations along the race path for you to get a drink and rehydrate.

Good luck. Once you get running and you're amoung the other runners you'll have so much motivation that you'll make it.

See you at the finish line.

Answer 3

No restrooms? what are they nuts? in Indy, there are portalets at mile 1 because of the long wait to start and people getting nervous.



Your best bet is to eat early enought to get it out of your system or east something like eggs that won't cause much mass.



Do not take any medicine before the race unless your doctor requires it. even allergy medicine can cause dehydration.

Answer 4

attempt to run a minimum of three-4 miles another day up till the race. do no longer run the day formerly the race. Your muscular tissues choose a relax. in case you do % to run the day formerly, make effective it extremely is a delicate, elementary run. do no longer attempt and do an prolonged-term, this is going to tension your muscular tissues for the race. on the race, extremely pay attention on your physique as you run. initiate out plenty slower than you think of you may desire to pass, through fact you are able to consistently %. up velocity as you pass. make effective your stride is sweet and you're taking it mile via mile. I in basic terms ran my first 0.5 marathon final Sunday, and mutually as I knowledgeable for it, I style of slacked off in education interior the few weeks formerly. I didnt think of i might make a staggering time, yet I took it mile via mile, and formerly I knew it i finished in 2 hours. you're able to do it, in basic terms take it elementary and you will possibly have the skill to end.