Non-Runner Half-Marathon Training Tips

Are you on the fence about running a half-marathon?  Here are 7 tips to train for a Half-Marathon if you are a non-runner that I have learned through the last few years. 

4 years ago, I completed my first half-marathon.  It was the San Antonio Rock n' Roll and it was an amazing accomplishment. I don't exactly remember why I ran the race, I think my friend said "I'm going to run this, want to run it with me?" Ok.

But it was a great accomplishment for this non-runner.  I had always been jealous of my running friends - they look so bold and confident.....and skinny..... while they are running.  I always thought of myself as someone who could "never run".  However, when my youngest was born and I was heavier than I had ever been in my entire life I was desperate to try it.  I started slow, with a mile at a time and the Couch to 5K app on my iPhone.  Me and the baby in the stroller, day after day until I got up to running 3 miles and had lost 40-ish pounds. Maybe I actually could be a runner after all.

The race was incredible.  The energy from the crowd made running 13.1 miles seem easy. Yes, I said easy.  I ran with my closest friend and we both were very happy with our accomplishment.  As I crossed the finish line, I remember thinking I will do this again. 

After finishing the San Antonio Rock n' Roll in November 2010,  I was in the best shape of my life. I was down to a size that I was happy with (which come on girls, that's hard to admit!) and I was happy to have done something 3 years earlier I never would have imagined doing.  What was next? I needed to maintain that figure I had worked hard to get and try for another race.

We signed up for another half the following year - the Zooma Run, a women-only half-marathon held on the Hyatt Lost Pines property in April 2011.  Unfortunately, this race was not as motivating as my first. This race consisted of some big hills that we were not prepared for.  I pushed myself the entire race, trying to maintain a pace I had not trained with and absolutely HATED the last 2 miles of the run.  This time, I walked away thinking NEVER again.

Fast forward 3 years.  I am running again. I'm running the 3M Half-Marathon in Austin in January 2015.  And before I started training a few weeks ago, I tried to think of all the tips that would help me along the way, to avoid the outcome of my second race. Here they are for you.

7 Tips for Non-Runners Training for a Half-Marathon

1. Why are you Running? - When you make the decision to run a half-marathon, make sure you clearly understand why you are running it. There will be weeks of training ahead of you, weeks of days you don't want to tie those shoes and get out the door. But with a clear goal in mind, it will make it that much easier to put the hard work in.

Looking back, my motivation for my first race was doing something I didn't think I could do.  But I had no goal for the second one, so my training was not as intense.  For this upcoming race, I want to lose weight and I know that maintaining a rigorous training schedule (thus burning mucho calories!) can help me accomplish this goal.  Make sure you clearly understand your motivation or you will not stay committed.

2. Select a Good Training Plan and Stick to It! There are lots of great plans out there on the internets, even apps for your phone that can keep you moving.  Some plans are intense with 3-4 runs a week and some are gradual.  I used this 20 week plan as I wanted to start training in September and only do 2-3 runs a week.  Choose the one that best works for you.  Then schedule your runs on your calendar. Make your weekly runs a priority - set them as an appointment and try your best not to "reschedule" them cause chances are you won't.  I don't book anything on Tuesday mornings. That's my long run day.

3. Get Good Running Shoes.  Friends, spend the money.  If you are going to be running miles and miles each week, invest in a pair of running shoes that will take care of your body while you are pounding it to the pavement.  My recommendation is to go to a running store and ask them to watch your stride.  They are knowledgeable in determining if you over-pronate or not and can find a shoe that fits your run.  Don't look at price tags when picking a running shoe - go for what feels best.  Your body will thank you.

4. Train & Run the Race with a Friend.  I can't imagine all the training runs without my good friend, Melissa.  She is the one who got me started for my first half, we did the 2nd together, and she is here again for my third.  If you are running all that distance each week, do it with a friend - the run goes by so much faster.  We talk and get things off our chest and give each other advice - it's great therapy!  And having an accountability partner will keep you on track.  Just this morning, as I wanted to have a day off, Melissa texted me - "See you at 7:40!"  Thanks friend for keeping me on track.

5. Workout on your Off Days. Don't think that running 3 days a week is all you need to get ready.  Your body needs a little cross training on the off days - things like yoga, boot camp, or strength training are good.  It gives your muscles the time to rest in-between runs.  Changing up the routine makes you a well-rounded athlete.

6. Make the Race a Fun Event.  Many people choose destination races to run in a different part of the country (I hope to do a race through Napa Valley one day!) and make a fun trip out of it. You can plan a girls' weekend with the center piece of the trip being accomplishing a half.  No matter where you run the race, make the race a big deal by eating special the few days before the get your body fueled correctly, stay in a nice hotel close to the race, or get a massage after the run. Treat yourself for all the hard work you have done to prepare for it. 

7. Remain Hydrated.  I don't like to drink water while I run and for a while, I didn't drink much water throughout the day.  However, I have recently researched the benefits of staying hydrated ALL DAY as a runner and have been working hard to keep my body hydrated. I didn't realize this, but even a slight dehydration of 2% of your body weight can cause a decrease in performance and makes you sluggish.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned on Twitter that I was beginning to train for the half.  Nuun contacted me and offered to send me a few samples to keep myself hydrated correctly.  I was excited as I always had looked at Nuun as a "runner's drink" and didn't think I was elite enough to need it.

Nuun (pronounced "Noon") is the first sugar-free electrolyte tab that dissolves in water.  Nuun's creator was looking for a way to get his electrolytes in after a hard workout without consuming all that sugar. Water is great to keep you hydrated, however you need to replace the electrolytes you are losing while you are intensely training. You should be hydrating before, during, and after your workouts and if you wait until you are thirsty, you are too late and will be playing catch-up all day.

I was excited to try both Nuun Active Hydration and Nuun Energy. Nuun Active Hydration is the "perfect sports drink" - The electrolytes found in Nuun will help alleviate cramps, help muscles function, communicate and burn energy efficiently. Nuun Energy has all the electrolyte plus 40 mg of caffeine - and what busy mom doesn't need a boost of caffeine?

There are a lot of scientific reasons why Nuun products are a great way to keep your body hydrated (and you can read about them here), but let's get down to what really matters - How does Nuun taste?  Depending on your personal preference of flavor, Nuun tabs taste great.  Some better than others.  What flavors I found I liked, my hubby and daughter didn't and vice-versa.  Beyond the flavor, Nuun dissolves completely, leaving no grit or aftertaste.  You do feel a bit fuller after drinking a glass of water with a Nuun tab than you would with just regular water.

I have now gotten into the habit of drinking a Nuun tab after each run & workout and I definitely feel a difference in my stamina throughout the rest of the day.  I feel like I have more energy to accomplish more, as I am replenishing what my body needs.  As my weekly runs get longer, I plan on taking Nuun with me on them, so I can be hydrating as I run (anything over an hour).

My hope in writing this article is to encourage you to run a half-marathon.  Even if you are just "thinking about it", get off the fence and commit.  It's not easy, but an incredible accomplishment.

What tips do you have for training and running a half-marathon?

Disclosure: Nuun sent me a few samples to try.  I was not compensated to write this article.  All opinions about Nuun are my own.

7 Color Run Tips

I just ran my first Color Run yesterday and I discovered some helpful tips to running this type of race that I wish I had known before! So being the ever helpful blogger that I am, I wanted to pass it along to you.

But before I do, let me do my best to convince you that you MUST run this race.  Whether it be the actual Color Run, or another race similar to it with thrown colored cornstarch, it is so much fun.  My friends and I ran it, not really knowing what to expect, and walked away thinking it was the most fun race we had done. It definitely lives up to it's name, the "Happiest 5K on the Planet."

But I'm not a Runner!

In the Color Run, participants are there to have fun, not race.  This race was filled with runners and walkers (and toddlers in strollers, dogs, and more) of all abilities.  No one cared about time, we were all just there to get doused with color.  And that is what we did.  So before you completely say No, take a look at what you would be missing:

Is the Color Run Messy?

Yes - it's a HUGE mess- but that's the fun of the race!  Wear all white and get as colorful as you can.  I'll give you some tips to help clean up before you get home.  That said, if you do not enjoy getting dirty, this race is not for you.  Pass along these tips to someone who does.

7 Tips to The Color Run 

1. Dress The Part: The organizers of the race encourage you to wear white and yes, it's the most fun way to see all the color.  That said, make sure you are wearing something you don't mind getting stained.  Also, don't wear your newest pair of running shoes. Most of the color came out of my shirt, but it's not as white as it was previously. When you pick up your race packet, they have fun running gear to purchase to dress it up even more - socks, shirts, and tutus!!  This is a race to dress up and have fun. 

2. Wear Some Protection! When you are running through the color corrals, people are actually throwing the colored cornstarch on you, so either close your eyes or wear cheap sunglasses.  If you have breathing problems, it's a good idea to have a bandana to cover your mouth & nose with.  

3. Leave the valuables in the Car! This isn't a race, you don't need your GPS watch.  And unless you just have to take pics or video, I would recommend leaving the phone in the car too.  OR make sure you keep it covered (runner pack under your shirt?) or it will have color on it when you are through.

4. Want to Get Colored?  If you want to get max color, run on the outer sides of the color corrals and tell the "color-ors" that you want to get sprayed.  Have fun with it! Run with your back to them or duck down to get the color from the top.  On the other hand, if you want a light dusting of color, run directly through the middle.

5. Don't Get Wet! The "color" is simply cornstarch that very easily dusts off of you.  In fact, at the end of the race, they have leaf-blowers that will "blow off the color" before you head home.  However, if you get wet or wash your hands with water, the color will saturate into your clothes or hands.  Some of this in inevitable as you might be sweating, but that's why they recommend clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

6. Stay for the After-Race Party!  Once you cross the finish line, the organizers will hand you a bag of color to throw at the after party. Make sure to stay for the color throw - they count it down every few minutes and it's your chance to get REALLY COLORED!  It's a lot of fun so don't miss it.

7. Bring Clean-Up Supplies!  Bring baby wipes to clean off your hands, plastic bags to put dirty clothes it for the ride home, and towels to sit on in the car.  If you run with a stroller (there were tons) remember they will get messy too, so bring something to clean them, or visit the leaf-blower station before you go home.

The Color Run had a fun, party atmosphere that made it such an enjoyable race.  It's a great race for the entire family and a great memory maker.  I highly recommend you try one if it comes to your area.  Here are the dates for the rest of 2014: http://thecolorrun.com/events/