I was about to start by saying something like, “Oh my god! I’m about to write about my half marathon training again but I promise this won’t become a fitness blog!” when I remembered that I fucking hate when people do that.
You know how it goes. A blogger gets engaged, or pregnant, and starts going on and on about how they swear their blog won’t become all about pregnancy hormones/flower arrangements/breast feeding. But you know what? If you’re a personal blogger whose blog is an online chronicle of your daily life, I think it’s completely natural for the topics you write about to grow as you grow and change as you change. You won’t have the same audience forever, because you won’t be the same you forever, and that’s okay. If you’re pregnant, it’s okay to write about being pregnant. If you’re planning a wedding, or traveling the world, or switching careers, it’s okay for a high volume of posts to be centered around those topics – I mean, what’s a blog if not a place to write about the heart of what’s going on in your life? If people no longer relate to you, then hopefully the little X at the top of the browser window doesn’t hit them on the ass on their way out.
Which leads me back to my half marathon training. My goal time for the race is 2 hours and 40 minutes, which requires me to run roughly a 12 minute mile for the entire course. The thought of a 12 minute mile feels doable – that’s how fast I’m running in my training – but the thought of running for TWO HOURS AND FORTY MINUTES? Now that’s fucking crazy talk.
Do you have any idea how long 2 hours and 40 minutes actually is? I seriously can’t remember the last time I did anything for that amount of time, except sleep, which I’m pretty sure is the effing eff eff OPPOSITE of running a half marathon. 2 hours and 40 minutes is longer than basically every movie ever. It’s longer than the best dinners and the best sex, the worst classes and the most stressful meetings. In summary: it’s a long ass time.
But, in an attempt to stick to my mantra of “run the mile you’re in,” I’m trying not to focus on the sheer insanity of running for almost 3 hours. Instead, I’m focusing on my training, one day at a time, and here’s what I’ve learned so far:
1. You have to do what works for you.
After an absurd amount of research and the final tipping point of reading Born To Run, I’ve switched from regular running shoes to Vibram Five Fingers – more affectionately known in our house as my “alien feet.” I could go on and on about the specific benefits I’ve experienced from these minimalist shoes (and I’m sure I will, at some point), but the most important thing is that they’ve made me fall in love with running. They work for me, so I wear them. Same goes for my running skirt. When you’re working toward a big goal (or any goal, really) you have to stop paying attention to all the noise of what everyone else is doing and just choose the path that’s best for you.
2. Be prepared to try new things (even if you get strange looks from others).
I’m prone to getting blisters, which can absolutely ruin a run. On the path to doing whatever I have to do to avoid them, I now use Body Glide Liquified Powder, wear toe socks with my alien feet, and take daily barefoot walks around the neighborhood. I’ve been told I need to toughen up my feet, and walking barefoot on the pavement is a great and easy way to do this. As my feet get tougher, I’m much less blister-ey (yay!), but the other people in the neighborhood are definitely fond of giving me the, “What the fuck is the crazy white girl doing without any shoes on?” look.
3. Remember that you chose to do this.
No one is making me run a half marathon. And, seeing as how I’m not being chased by a bear, no one is ever making me run at all. So, whenever I’m at the point where I’m like, “EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE! WHY DO I HAVE TO DO THIS? WHY CAN’T I STAY IN BED?!” I remind myself that if I truly don’t want to continue, I don’t have to. Bringing the focus back to the fact that this is an optional activity helps me stop being such a whiny asshole.
4. Even if you cry, you still get the medal.
My biggest fear is that something is will go terribly wrong on race day and mess everything up. A cramp, a blister, dizziness, not enough water, too much water – my brain likes to freak me out with all of the things that could happen that would force me to stop running in a fit of tears and have to walk/hobble/crawl the half marathon instead. Then, a few weeks ago, I read an article in Runner’s World about training for your first half marathon, and the author mentioned that over his years of watching races, he’s seen people cry, vomit, and fall over. But in the end, he says, “even if you cry, you still get the medal.”
Posted in: run, baby, run
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
Good lessons! As I trained for my first half this summer I kept telling myself that I was the one that signed up for the half program. No one was holding a gun to my head and frankly, I loved being able to say, “yeah, I ran 11 miles this morning.”
BTW, I LOVED Born to Run but haven’t been able to switch over to minimalist footwear yet.
I just registered for my first 5k in October. Also, the gear is a fucking track jacket. A TRACK JACKET. A track jacket that screams LOOK AT ME I RUN FOR FUN AND I RAN THIS BUCKTOWN 5K! HOLY SHIT.
What happened to me? I used to swear up and down that I hate running. Now I’m obsessed and all I can do is research races in the fun locations I’ll be this winter while we’re galavanting around the country and not in Chicago skydiving all the time.
So pumped for you. And my blog is now all about weightloss and skydiving, and starting tomorrow, my newfound love for running. Or maybe jogging, since I’m pretty sure my pace isn’t really running, but I’m bouncing up and down more than I would if I was walking.
Right. Go you. And your alien feet.
KILL IT.
so my half marathon is in less than 3 weeks (9/18) and i’m pretty much flipping my shit about it. like, i feel zero preparedness, and then i go run 8 miles and still feel like i’ll never get to that goal, and i’m all holy shit i’m going to make a fool of myself omg i hate myself etc. but then i remember that the same thing happened for my 10 miler and it turned out just fine. i realize that i have been setting goals for myself and panicking that i won’t make that goal (i’m aiming for sub 2:00 wtf am i thinking) – but then i have to step back and realize that I AM THE ONLY PERSON WHO CARES! my parents and friends are still going to be proud and cheer me on no matter if i make my goal or not. what i think i’m most proud of is getting my mom into running, and having her call me with her progress. she’s so excited and is getting to see what i love about it. i love your posts about running because they inspire me (and you inspire me!!!) so DON’T STOP. also, so awesome that you are a minimalist now. i’m going to switch after the half, and train for my next half in november (omg again wtf) in those!
oooh i’m glad you’re loving the vibrams!!! i love them too and have totally gotten over the bizarre looks i get when i rock them (especially here in mexico where you can’t even buy them, which is kind of ironic since barefoot running was made popular because of the tarahumara in copper canyon, mexico but then again barefoot running and vibrams are related but not the same AT ALL pretty sure the tarahumara wear vibrams, ha). i haven’t been running recently bec of my mother effing ovaries but will hopefully get clearance from my doctor to train for the austin half in february again. i just want an excuse to go to austin again and eat delicious food, especially now that i’m eating meat and i think you mentioned the pulled pork being ridiculous? mmmm. i think you’ll be surprised how fast 2 hr 40 minutes goes on race day, with so much pandemonium and excitement as your fuel. i bet you’ll go a lot faster than you ever thought possible too. i didn’t have a goal for time last year but we somehow did it in 1:52 solely because we were wired with energy from the group! you’ll amaze yourself, nicole.
Thanks for sharing. I’m contemplating a half and am feeling a bit more optimistic about the whole thing.
I LOVE the last one. I’m running my first full in November, and I think it’ slowly trying to eat my fucking soul.
Having run 2 half marathons and a bunch of smaller runs, I have both cried and vomited (once at the same time!). I have a ton of medals to prove Lesson Learned #4. Of course you will have some truly awful candid photographs as a result, but who cares (see Lesson Learned #2)
One thing that I did for my last half that really helped me stay in the mile I was running was to dedicate each mile to someone (or something). It helped to have someone to think about, especially around miles 10-13.
Best of luck!
Hi Nicole! This past year I’ve run my first, second and third half marathon and I run about the same pace (ps yay! I love finding other people embracing slower running). The first one I ran was just over three hours and the second and third were closer to 2:40. I totally agree with your four points. I totally look at long runs as a time commitment versus a mile commitment. So when I go on long runs, I think “well, worst case scenario, I’m out there for 3 hours” … and that’s not that bad! It’s definitely a long time, but it’s time you get to spend in constant motion, seeing a bunch of great sights and people out there to see you (although they may be few and far between). And maybe you get to listen to a few hour-long podcasts or lots of music. Either way, enjoy your race! Hope it’s an amazing experience!! If you’ve put the time in, it’s hard to imagine it won’t be.
Also, psyched to see you run in Vibrams because I just bought some this week and am currently working on the slow transition process. If you have any tips about that, I’d greatly appreciate it!
I have had the luck and good health to run races. I bawled at the end of my first marathon. And then vomited all over the street. I started sobbing in the middle of my 18 mile training run last Sunday (just a clusterfuck of a bad run). But I will still finish my October race with a smile on my face. Regarding your 3rd rule. Amen. As we say in our running group, especially when we hear folks who are sooooo uptight about times and splits and blah blah…. Running is a HOBBY! In the end, I make the same amount of money doing this as 99.9% of the people out there. Let me amend that. It is a hobby and a privilege to run. My 89 year old dad had polio and has not run a step since he was 11. Yay for health.
anytime i put on my vibrams, i say that i’m putting on my gorilla feet.
“If people no longer relate to you, then hopefully the little X at the top of the browser window doesnt hit them on the ass on their way out.”
Lines like these are what keep me reading. You rock.
I’ve just started running recently. I used to hate running back in school. After finishing up I’ve made two attempts at running. This one is the third… and I love it. For now it’s rather a “run for fun” short distance kind of a thing, not to force myself and get discouraged.
So I’m cheering you on.
And I love the alien feet, they look amazing
I have run 4 half marathons in 2 years. I cired. I vomited. I had diarrhea. And I can’t wait for my next one! It’s an insane accomplishment and worth every moment of stress, anxiety, fear and “figuring it out”. Because, in my experience, it leads to a lot more “figuring it out” moments in you life. Puke and all.
I signed up for my second 1/2 marathon yesterday. I agree with everything you said. Once you tune out the noise and realize the pain is temporary and voluntary all the self imposed bull shit melts away. Plus, for me, the “runner’s high” I get from my training runs is a close second to an orgasm and the only anti-depressant I’m willing to pay for.
I ran my first half marathon in January. At the time I was still healing from a groin pull that I had developed in November plus I had a nasty cold. The cold medication wore off at mile 10. The last 3.1 miles I was coughing and every cough sent sharp pains down the leg with the pull. I finished at 3:15:xx.
My second half is this weekend.
thank you. i needed this.
LESS THAN NINE WEEKS! gah!
I rock my Vibrams with no shame despite the funny looks I get…..
Good luck with your training and I’m sure you will ROCK the marathon!
Just make sure you thoroughly rinse whatever you are going to wear for your bottoms – a friend didn’t rinse her jogging pants properly and her picture from the end of the race includes a very frothy crotch… It looked like her vagina had rabies…… Not a pretty sight…. hahaha
I know you said you wear a running skirt… but there are still shorts under there that could foam… Just sayin’………
foam? o.O
From the soap used to wash the pants?
i’m totally fascinated by vibrams. this girl brought them to my friend’s bachelorette party (you know how most girls bring flip flops? she brought VIBRAMS), and i forced her to let me test them out. the five minutes i sprinted around in them were fun but not quite enough time to convince me to buy them.
also, if you haven’t read it yet, kara gaucher’s “running for women” was a pretty good read — i finished it the night before my first half this summer. adding “born to run” to my list!
You will be so surprised at how fast that 2:40 will go by. I remember in my first half-marathon approaching mile 7 and I was actually disappointed because the race was more than halfway over. Every mile is different, you’ll have good miles and bad miles, but you’ll be so high from the adrenaline and the energy of everyone around you. You’re gonna rock it!
My goal was 3 hours, and I finished in 2:50:30. Here’s hoping you’ll reach, and exceed your goal!
Did I tell you that I had a dream a couple weeks ago where I was chased by a bear? Is that where that came from or do we just spend way too much time together? Or both? Both, probably.
I love all of your lessons. Love.
I sucked at training for my half-marathon because my knee was being a pansy. In the end, the adrenaline of race day kicked in and I ran the entire race in under 3 hours. You’ll kick ass, don’t you worry.
I have to echo what Stevie said–every mile is different. But the sum of the entire race is amazing. And worth it.
Yes yes yes, awesome. I stopped listening to music while I run, so I’ve had to learn how to distract myself/talk myself down when I start panicking about how much longer I have to go. One of the best thoughts I’ve come upon was a sign I saw at a race that read “One day I will not be able to do this…today is not that day.” Okay, it was a sign held by some strange church group(?). But anyway, I thought it really captured two things that keep me going: being grateful that I’m capable of training and running what other people can’t or I might not be able to do when I get older and knowing that I AM strong enough to finish this run I’m doing right this second.
Also, I started counting down the miles instead of up. Like, when I’m at mile 5, I think “Okay, now I’m only running an 8 mile run. I’ve done that before. I can do this.” Basically, I gradually shrink down my run. At the start, sure, you have a half marathon. But by the middle, you really only have like a 5 mile run. Then a 4 mile one. And it doesn’t seem as scary.
Good work, lady! Sounds like you’re doing great.
I hate running anything longer than the path round the bases in a softball game. But I absolutely love this line:
If people no longer relate to you, then hopefully the little X at the top of the browser window doesnt hit them on the ass on their way out.
Also love this blog.
So busy at my job that I haven’t gotten a chance to visit this blog in a while. I’ve missed it so. I hope I can change with it so I never have to stop reading this awesome blog! As a veteran of three marathons I feel somewhat qualified to give advice. Stick to behaving the same way you do in training. I can get by on a small amount of water, but got brainwashed by the loudspeakers saying to drink water and they give you so much water at the start and along the way that I almost did throw up that first time. Also, if it’s your first time, it’s okay to fall off pace. Finishing is better than getting hurt and not finishing. Lastly, don’t forget to stretch before and after. Stretching makes the difference between being able to function normally the day after and feeling crippled for a week. I’ll be cheering you in spirit!
Great advice. I especially like #1 for life in general. Sometimes it’s hard to remember! I did a half marathon in 2006 and it felt so good to finish! I’m sure it will for you too!
you’re going to rock it. and running in the race is way different than training…i think it’s because you’re running with a bunch of people that know what you’re going through and everyone is very supportive. i got a blister on mile 6 (in a new place, i have no idea why that day i apparently decided to run weird) and i was told that from now on i need to rub vaseline on my feet prior to long runs to avoid blisters. just a thought.
also, i’ve been wondering about the vibram five fingers. i need cushion since the impact of running caused stress fractures in my ankles two years ago, but i’ve been told the impact is actually less in those shoes. thoughts?
good luck!
In September of 2009 I finished my first marathon. Thats not so Wooohoo except that I was the kid in school that faked the asthma attack to get out of the mile run in gym. And if that was not enough obsticales, I decided that San Francisco was the best place to try my hand at marathons. Which I had been told is one of the most difficult marathons because whoa hills! Many people were all “Crazy crazy, you’ll never make it.” But those statements just made me more determined. I went from couch to marathon, losing around 20 lbs, and feel infinately more confident. My training had its ups and downs, especially the most important 20, 23 and 26 mile runs leading up to the marathon. The fibers around my tendons in my feet were tearing, inducing horrible pain and making me rest more than run. I did the run/walk method and my only goal was to get a medal, and I had to push myself for it, because if you finish after 6 hours, you are not guaranteed a medal. At mile 10 I hit the wall that the coaches were talking about when they said you need to keep thinking of the reasons you are doing this… Nothing was motivating me, no the weight lose, not the confidence, not the ability to say “I did it!” to all those that thought I couldn’t. Then I hit on my motivation. If I didn’t cross the finish line, I wouldn’t see my dad cry with pride. It kept me running. At mile 18 the tearing of my tendons came back. It was hard for me to run even the 3 minutes before I could walk again. The pain was the only thing on my mind. Through the panhandle a coach caught up to me to talk me through it, and said the next water stop a mile up down the road had a medical tent and I could get ibprophen… It was four miles later. I got ibprophen and gummy bears. I think the gummy bears worked better. I finished my first marathon limping in 6 hours 2 minutes and 49 seconds, and I got my medal. My dad didn’t cry until I told him that is what helped me through the pain.
No matter what type of run day you are having, there will always be something that will make you keep moving. Even if you have to abandon your goal and walk a little in between, as long as you keep moving forward you will make it to that medal.
Which half are you running in? I ran my first one last year in San Fran and it poured rain on us the ENTIRE time! my feet were totally numb by mile 3. This slowed my pace considerably and I didn’t finish in the time I had been anticipating/training/hoping for BUT I finished! soaking wet, muddy, hypothermia and all – I crossed that line and I got that medal and it was one of the things I am most proud of.
Keep writing about the running.. clearly you’ve hit on a group that either has run in the past or recently taking it up (like myself). Funny, when you posted your training schedule up here a few months back I adopted it and thought “only adding a mile each week doesn’t seem too bad, something I can totally do”, and you know what, its true. You should also check out “Running for Women” and “Mile Markers” both books have been awesome at getting into running for me.
You’re also the second person in a few weeks that have mentioned the Vibrams and now I’m seriously consider checking them out.
I get pissed when I have to run around a track once so I give you so much credit.
You’re so gonna rock this race. Check out a few things though – Blue Steel Sports cream makes something similar to Body Glide. It goes on like lotion just like BG Liquid. THEN head over to runningskirts.com and try not to snatch up their cute cute skirts.
(Agree with you about how personal blogs should change/grow with you as you change/grow. Why don’t people understand that?)
I will totally take barefoot walks with you.
That running skirt looks awesome but the video that auto-plays is CREEPY. Hey, let’s stare at this girl’s ass as she meanders about!!!
Two hours and forty minutes?!??!?! This is why I HATE running, it’s so damn boring and all you can think about is HOW SOON IS THIS DONE but then the answer is FOREVER.
BUT after all my negativity, I think it is AWESOME that you are not only setting a goal that is, to me, unattainable, but working so hard to not only DO IT but do it RIGHT, really training, learning what works for you, accepting potential failure but praising yourself for what you have and WILL accomplish.
WORK IT, LADY.
ALSO! I want some Five Finger shoes for hiking SO SO badly, I am jealous you have them.
We must be soulmates. I love this. I love your writing. Run the mile you are running. I like that. Great going on finishing the race. What are your next goals that you are looking forward to doing?
Well, a half marathon IS the opposite of sleeping, unless you’re dreaming of a nameless, shapeless, hooded figure who chases you all over the dream world for at least 13.1 miles.
Not to be alarming and creepy (too late), but I’m just sayin…
Vibrams are like alien feet. And they are everywhere in Boulder. Ha, typical, right? The most high-powered CEO’s will literally wear those to board meetings here.
Good luck! Your running and determination is an inspiration!
You are going to rock that half marathon – if you believe you can do it you will. Trust – I got “tricked” into running a FULL marathon and survived to live the tale. Here: http://kp-howtobeawesome.blogspot.com/2010/04/tricked-fooled-conned-sports-story.html
Words of wisdom: 1. Train with food & drink 2. Try to run the full distance or at least 10 miles prior to the actual race 3. Have fun!!
I’d love to say that I took something more from this post but really all I got was how much I want a pair of those shoes and that skirt. And I don’t even run. Yet.
Good luck with your training and the marathon!
You rock!!! I just finished my first half marathon, and although I was almost dead last (at 2 hrs 41 minutes) I had a blast… I’m a slow runner, I might always be, but I’ll always be a runner!
It feels fantastic to read so many uplifting messages and be in a crowd of like minded people!
Running is one of my passions too, and I can’t wait for my next marathon. I have not decided when it comes. However, I keep practising even nowadays picturing myself running either in Mumbai or in Amsterdam. All the best to you, Nicole and to everybody, in our future endeavours!
I LOVE this! I am training for my first half marathon too! And I am someone that hated gym, has NO athletic abilities whatsoever and until 4 months ago hadn’t been on a track since the 5th grade. I am nervous and deliciously proud of myself and will take the “run the mile you’re in” motto with me on my run tonight. Thank you and good luck!!!
In September of 2009 I finished my first marathon. Thats not so Wooohoo except that I was the kid in school that faked the asthma attack to get out of the mile run in gym. And if that was not enough obsticales, I decided that San Francisco was the best place to try my hand at marathons. Which I had been told is one of the most difficult marathons because whoa hills! Many people were all “Crazy crazy, you’ll never make it.” But those statements just made me more determined. I went from couch to marathon, losing around 20 lbs, and feel infinately more confident. My training had its ups and downs, especially the most important 20, 23 and 26 mile runs leading up to the marathon. The fibers around my tendons in my feet were tearing, inducing horrible pain and making me rest more than run. I did the run/walk method and my only goal was to get a medal, and I had to push myself for it, because if you finish after 6 hours, you are not guaranteed a medal. At mile 10 I hit the wall that the coaches were talking about when they said you need to keep thinking of the reasons you are doing this… Nothing was motivating me, no the weight lose, not the confidence, not the ability to say “I did it!” to all those that thought I couldn’t. Then I hit on my motivation. If I didn’t cross the finish line, I wouldn’t see my dad cry with pride. It kept me running. At mile 18 the tearing of my tendons came back. It was hard for me to run even the 3 minutes before I could walk again. The pain was the only thing on my mind. Through the panhandle a coach caught up to me to talk me through it, and said the next water stop a mile up down the road had a medical tent and I could get ibprophen… It was four miles later. I got ibprophen and gummy bears. I think the gummy bears worked better. I finished my first marathon limping in 6 hours 2 minutes and 49 seconds, and I got my medal. My dad didn’t cry until I told him that is what helped me through the pain.
+1
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