Training Guide: Running a Half-Marathon

Comments (3)
Print

Pages in this Story:

Yes, You Can Run a Half-Marathon!
Cross-Training, Hill Workouts, and Speed Intervals
Get in Gear: Basic Running Equipment
The Truth About Carbo Loading
Race Day: Warm-Up Workout
Race-Day Tips from the Pros
Outfit Yourself: Race-Day Emergency Kit

Race-Day Tips from the Pros

Find the drive to go the distance with these tips from marathon veterans:

Just show up.

"I never think 'all or nothing,'" says three-time MORE Marathon winner Susan Loken. "If I'm not motivated to do an entire workout, I'll do a quick four-mile run and I still feel like I've accomplished something. Even better, nine out of 10 times, I end up going the whole distance."

Keep your eyes on the prize.

"When I go through a bad patch in training, I refocus on my goals and remind myself that it's worth it," says Kara Goucher, who placed third in the 2008 ING New York City Marathon with the fastest-ever marathon debut by an American woman. "If you can push through those times once, you'll know you can do it again."

Seek out inspiration.

"I pick up page-turner books about amazing physical feats like swimming across the English Channel," says Tera Moody, who finished fifth in the women's marathon at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. After that, my training simply doesn't seem so bad!"

Next: Outfit Yourself: Race-Day Emergency Kit

What do you think of this story? Leave a Comment.

Related Links

SAVE EVEN MORE! Say "Yes" to Fitness® Magazine today and get a second year for HALF PRICE – 2 full years (20 issues) for just $15. You also get our new Fitness Band and Total Body Express Band Workout ABSOLUTELY FREE! (U.S. orders only)

First Name:

Last Name:

Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Email Address:

100% Money-Back Guarantee: You must be pleased, or you may cancel any time during the life of your subscription and receive a refund on any unserved issues – no questions asked. Fitness® Magazine is currently published 10 times annually – subject to change without notice. Double issues may be published, which count as 2 issues. Applicable sales tax will be added. E-mail address required to access your account and member benefits online. We will not share your e-mail address with anyone. Click here to view our privacy policy.

What do you think? Review this story! >

grey_jillian wrote:

Thanks for the tip. Im looking forward on running back again next week. Hopefully this helps in making me get back to shape. By the way, i would like to share a great website for running, http://runninggizmo.clan.su.

1/7/2011 10:40:56 AM Report Abuse

nancymcjensen wrote:

I used the intermediate guide to train for a half marathon. It worked well. I did 2:06 and for a 49 y/o woman with a family and a job I think that's pretty righteous. The one thing I might change is the taper period pre-race felt rigorous. I was tired on race day. In hindsight I think a little more rest the 2 weeks prior would have helped. This was a great program, though, easy to follow and I'll use it again, with that small modification.

6/7/2010 04:25:31 PM Report Abuse