How to run a half marathon
It made me
very proud 
"I did it! I ran the Detroit Half Marathon in 2:36:29! Yay!"
How I did it: Today I completed the Detroit Half Marathon, in 2 hours, 36 minutes and 29 seconds. That was just under my goal time by 30 seconds. Hooray!
When I started training in June, my longest run had been a 10K. I ran with a group -- long runs on Saturdays, plus hill or speed work-outs on Tuesdays. I also ran an additional 2 or 3 days on my own. Running with a group was a great help, and I highly recommend it. My longest run before the race was 12 miles.
The race today felt difficult, and I definitely feel like I accomplished something. Coming out of the "underwater mile" (the tunnel that connects Windsor and Detroit) at mile 8, I felt spent, but the crowd cheering helped pull me through. I also had a co-worker (a veteran marathoner) help pace me, and that was an amazing help.
I'm definitely not ready for a full marathon yet, but I'm looking forward to running another half or two this spring.
Lessons & tips:
- Run with a group if you can. It helps keep you on track and keeps the long runs interesting.
- Train on the hills! It will make you a stronger runner.
- Leave yourself enough time to prepare. If I had it to do over again, I would have liked to have a stronger base mileage.
- Train at your own pace. Build up your mileage and speed gradually and don't compare yourself to other runners.
- Get your miles in. Run run run!
Resources: http://www.dailymile.com
Your local running store and local training team.
