What Can You Learn From Running a Half Marathon?
Let’s start with stating the obvious that 13.1 miles is a long way to run. Secondly, 26.2 isn’t just twice as hard. That would be like saying that an 8.3 earthquake is only a little stronger than a 7.4 on the Richter Scale. The difference is HUGE!
Here’s what I learned from training running in the half marathon for Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
- Get a running buddy. I didn’t do this for my training and was glad that I didn’t, because it allowed me to be more flexible. However, you have to stay disciplined. If you don’t run when you normally do, you need to be sure to make it up. I did have a running buddy for the race. It was a neighbor friend that had been there before. She helped with all of the last minute food, drink, aches, pains, parking, potties … and generally kept me company and was encouraging until the start of the race.
- Drop the excuses that it’s too cold, too dark, too hot, too rainy. too humid, too sunny, too nice. Just run.
- If you have a headache, tummy ache, leg ache, back ache, butt ache, crook in your neck … for what ever reason. Just run.
- When you think that you may be off schedule or ahead of schedule, in your training, it doesn’t really matter. Remember, those training schedules are suggestions for the average runner. Just run.
- When you’re in the race and you feel like your legs are going to fall off. Get some water. Get a gew pack. Get a new attitude. Don’t walk. Just run.
- Those kids that you see next to the road that are in hospital clothes are real people with real illnesses. They are the reason that you’re out there. Just run.
Next year my friends are expecting me to do the full marathon. That’s 26.2 miles. There are days that I don’t like to drive that far.
Just run.
Brian E. Wagner is a Speaker, Author and Coach, and he is also the Creator of A RADICAL VISION.
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