Your first half marathon,

Starting training for your first half marathon can be a daunting experience, there's that many tips and advice out there it's hard to know which way to turn. I am going to give you some tips that I wish I'd have known before I did my first ever half marathon in 2011.

1) Start training as soon as you know your doing the race. 

Training programmes start 16 weeks before a race and are often very time consuming- you need to be out 3-4 times a week. If you get into this habit early, you find that running starts to fit into your weekly routine. Before your 16 week countdown, get out at least 3 times a week. Run 10-60 minutes one short, one medium and one long(ish) run. Best to get into good habits early and this will massively help your training!

2) Follow a plan!

Get a great training plan and work out the date you need to start it (usually 16 weeks before the race) therunningbug.co.uk is my site of choice for these plans. Ensure you have the time to stick to the plan, if your away for a week, allow training to start a week earlier to compensate for this. 

3) Set yourself a goal.

When you start your training you will discover your comfortable pace, and realise just how far 13.1 miles is! My target was 2 hours 30 minutes, this made my target pace just under 11 minute miles. Make sure your target challenges you, and motivates you- choose a time you will be proud to tell everyone about!

4) Get a decent running watch.

I love my Garmin forerunner 110 If you can't afford this sort of watch, a good tracking device on your phone is just as good to track your distance. This was the downfall of my training, unfortunately I didn't track my runs and I was estimating my distances. I now realise my 4  mile runs were about 2.5 miles and I only trained to about 8 miles, thinking it was about 11. If you do one of the things of this list, make it this one!

5) Monitor your heart rate.

Heart rate monitoring is great if you want to push yourself to achieve the best time you can. I didn't use one for my first half marathon but now I don't race without it. It makes you realise when you can push yourself harder, and when you need to lay off so you don't burn out too soon!

6) Pick a charity!

You're doing something amazing, do it for a great cause. Getting sponsorships and raising money for a great cause gives you something to run for, and an incentive not to give up. 

7) Be proud!

Every single minute & mile of every run is fabulous, you are always improving. You are doing something that not just anybody can do. Remember this when it's raining and your alarm is set for 5:30am because that's the only time you can fit your run in today. You are amazing, and what you're doing is amazing.

Please get in touch with me if you want any further advice. Running is something I am passionate about and I am more than happy to speak about it. Don't be scared to asked for advice, as I said it's not an easy thing your wanting to do, you will need support!

Go get your trainers on, and carry on being training to be amazing x