How to Run a Half Marathon Tips

#1-The Gear: The best part of running is, you don't need much gear, but what you need is very important.  You need GREAT shoes.  Sneakers should be purchased at a store that specializes in runner's shoes and the salesperson should be involved in helping you find the perfect fit.  Ideally the salesperson is also a runner, and many of them who work in these small specialty running stores are runners.

Socks are also impor[removed][removed]tant.  Not just any socks will do.  The wrong socks can cause blisters and discomfort.  Buy the expensive ones (sometimes around $10 or more) in the specialty store and guard them when doing laundry. If you're careful about socks and shoe fit, there should be a return policy, such that, if you go out running and get a blister or feel pain and discomfort, you should be able to bring the shoes back.  That's one main reason to buy the shoes at a place that specializes in running.

Gear can also include new electronic gizmos such as iPod chips that fit in certain running shoes, which will not only play your music play list, but read out your stats while running: how fast, how far, heart rate, etc.  But that's a luxury and you don't absolutely need it.

Other gear might include a gps device either on your wrist or in an iPod format, a regular iPod or MP3 player without extra gizmos, sunscreen, hat, and chafing cream.  And don't forget the all important safety pins!!!  You'll need them, believe me.

#2-The Logistics: Look up the race on-line and consider running it during one of your practice sessions no closer than 10 days out. If you're too lazy to do that (I certainly am) then at least look at the on-line map and check out the elevations, hills, etc., so you can have some idea what you're in for.

#3-The Companions: Make sure you sign up, pay, and have a plan for bib and gear pick-up at least a week in advance of the race. This is where it's great to have a group of friends who sign up together and one of you can pick up everyone's gear. Then the morning of the race, you meet at one person's house, and put on the time chips, and safety pin the bib to your shirt. Also it's good to minimize cars when going to these big events. Other runners are also very inspirational and will offer support before, during and after the race.

#4-The Preparation: Don't run for at least two days before the event. If you enjoy cardio, go ahead and do something else like swimming or biking, or even an elliptical trainer. Give your body a chance to rest and gain energy for the race.

The night before, go ahead and carbo-load, but don't pig out. Just try to eat what you would normally eat that you know makes you feel full and healthy. Try to get a good night's sleep and in the morning, wake up very early.

#5-The Morning of the Race: Everyone has their own routine and it takes experience to know what works for you. The morning of the race is not the time to experiment. This is something you should have done weeks ago, as a test, to see what works.

Runners know that eating and hydrating before a race is necessary so you can keep going with energy. And going to the bathroom in the middle of a race means running into the woods and hoping the leaves are big enough. Not fun.

So wake up early, eat and drink, use the bathroom, make sure you're as empty as you can get without resorting to things like laxatives. Maybe coffee works for you, or maybe not. Experience will tell.

#6- Tie the Shoe Laces Properly: Of course we all tie our shoe laces. But nothing is as annoying as tripping over your own shoe laces, falling, and hurting yourself so you can't continue the race. Even if you don't actually fall, it's still annoying to have to stop and take the time to re-tie. So tie them properly. After you double knot, take the ends of the shoe laces and thread them through the loops. Then tuck the ends of the laces into the little piece of cloth down the center of the shoe, or just tuck them into the other laces. Now, you're done. The laces will not come undone during the run.

#7: The Pace: You've used the portopotties and are ready to go! So join the crowd at your correct miles per minute. Just because you normally pace yourself at 12 minute miles doesn't mean that you can slip into the 10 miles per minute group. If you do, and no one will arrest you, but if you do, people will be passing you and you'll feel very slow and sluggish from the first moment you set out. Do you really want that?

Remember, by the last few miles of the race, people will be tired. If you start out at your real pace, nice and slow, you'll be very energetic at the end. And that's when you really need the speed even if you're not going for any record. Just put yourself where you're really comfortable and start out at a reasonable pace for you. Don't rush too much. Yes, I know it's a race, but it's a race against yourself, not all the throngs of people around you. Do it this way and you'll attain your actual goal: a sense of accomplishment, and the time of your life!!!!