Selfie Does Half-Marathon Training
This one’s a long one but I feel SO passionately about it, that I hope you’ll bear with me. If running a half marathon this year…or ever…is on your bucket list, dude, I feel you. Exactly a decade ago, I started 2009 exhausted, stressed out and fairly chubby after my first semester of law school. I felt like so much of my life was out of my control at that point: grades, weight and my general day-to-day feeling of a lack of inspiration, motivation or purpose. Then one very fateful day, I made that big resolution and, to be honest, my whole life changed the way it normally does: By happy accident of picking the right day to go to EPCOT, by my genetically inherited stubbornness and – because I’m essentially a gold fish – something shiny.
On a winter break trip to Orlando, I noticed a multitude of people walking around EPCOT wearing medals. As a lover of all things shiny, I had to figure out why everyone was “winning” something. It is a blessing that for the first time ever, I had chosen to travel to Florida during the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. At that point in my life, I had never once actively run except to jog slowly for half-hour spurts in high school and at soccer practice (completely against my will and I normally could argue my way out of it), but when I saw all these happy people rocking their medals and having truly accomplished something, I decided right then and there that I, too, would run a half marathon. Shockingly, everyone in my life, especially my future husband, was extremely supportive of this seemingly arbitrary goal.
When registration opened for the 2010 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend, I signed up for my first half marathon. I thought that forking over that $145 for a run was the most difficult feat I would face as a poor law student*. In hindsight, though, that $145 felt like a fortune to me which made training an investment. Now, that won’t work for everyone. I definitely know people who are perfectly financially comfortable throwing out $145 and keep on keepin’ on but it was enough for me.
Even though I thought the cost was painful, I had not even remotely begun the hard part. Over the next several months, I read at least ten books about half marathon training because I am a nerd and that’s how I do (my methods have a high success rate so whatevs). My dad (beautiful, patient, angel Papa Jose) sweetly paid for my first pair of real running shoes as a Valentine’s Day gift and I started and stopped that first training week 5 to 6 times from February until May. Let me repeat that for the people in the back: I STARTED AND RE-STARTED TRAINING FIVE OR SIX TIMES. IN THREE MONTHS. But the important part was I knew, like deep-in-my-damn-soul KNEW, I was doing this freaking half-marathon so I only had to keep re-starting.
I don’t even remotely remember what clicked in my head but when May came around, I was ready to start for real. Every step, every contact with the pavement, every time I wanted to quit on a run but didn’t, made me a different, better person – it made me a runner. The first time I ran 4 miles, I felt such deep pride. Legitimately, it was almost the same amount of pride as the first time I ran 11 miles. Running gave me back my focus and confidence, not to mention my pre-college waist measurements. It’s easy to forget how much running gives to me sometimes, like during a bad training run or at 8 am on a Sunday morning or when it’s 90 flippin’ degrees outside (which P.S. is freaking, nearly ALWAYS the case when you live on the surface of the damn sun****). But I am a runner because I love that all I have to do is put my feet to the pavement to accomplish my goals. And I am a runner because I love who I am when I run.
Since the first fateful training season, I’ve run a whole bunch of half marathons, two marathons, a sprint tri and a host of other races. Most importantly though, I utilize running for both physical and mental health,and really in the last couple years, A LOT for my mental health, well-being and just straight-up sanity. My love of running spawned a love of learning what else I can accomplish! Can I run a marathon? Can I trek a mountain? Can I rock a fitness challenge? Knock out a CrossFit class? Going beyond running taught me the importance of having a fitness schedule. Having an actual strength training schedule has made all the difference in my fitness level and my running, too. When I started, I couldn’t run more than six miles without a knee brace but now I haven’t had to wear a near brace in over five years. That’s why I look forward to talking about adventures and all the fun things that I’ve been inspired to try thanks to that first, fateful January day at Walt Disney World.
Selfie’s Tips:
Selfie Tip 1: Do Your Research
When I started out running, I really didn’t start by hitting the pavement – I started by researching. Running itself is pretty straightforward: Put one foot in front of the other and keep going. What I didn’t know about was how to train my body to go from 0 to 13.1 and I didn’t really know any runners or I didn’t know I knew any runners yet. So, I read a bunch of books…like a lot…like at least ten because that’s how I do things. But if you’re new to running and looking to run your first half, I have several recommendations.
Selfie Tip 2: Have a Plan
First, get a training program. There are lots of training programs – you can get one online or you can get a book. I know Run Disney has a program made by Jeff Galloway and runnersworld.com has training programs for every level of running from “I just want to finish” to “I want to PR and qualify for Boston.” The program I chose (and used/modified for 7+ half-marathons) and have recommended to my friends and family (and co-workers and complete strangers and guests at Christmas parties) is Marathon and Half-Marathon: The Beginner’s Guide by Marnie Caron. The book utilizes a walk/run program that makes this rather daunting task seem very, very manageable. In addition, the author dispenses a lot of helpful advice which is deeply important when you’re new to the running. Having SOME idea of what you’re doing is both good for your running body and good for your, let’s call her, your “baby-runner” ego.
Selfie Tip 3: Get Some Running Shoes Not Athletic Shoes
Seriously, if you love, like, having knees and hips, invest in some shoes. New ones. Real “running” shoes…like, right now. I know there are people who will disagree with me and say running shoes don’t have to be expensive and you can run with the shoes you have. Technically, they aren’t wrong. Physically, as a human being, you can run with or without shoes. But in reality, unless you have some freakishly perfect physiology going on, a good pair of shoes from a knowledgeable sales person will help you keep the unnecessary aches and pains (and missing toenails!) to a minimum. I clearly learned this the hard way. It only took mmmmmk like nine months for get over those black toenails from the marathon. If you live in Austin, I highly suggest the Texas Running Company. Seriously, those guys and gals are life-savers, extremely helpful and where I settled into “my shoe”.
Selfie Tip 4: Get Clothes That Aren’t Going to Chafe Your Life.
Go ahead and get some sweat-wicking shirts and thank me later. They don’t have to be brand name or expensive, but it’s pretty important because cotton gets heavy, wet, gross and will chafe on long runs. I love premium brands for workout clothes as much as anyone else but for runs, I only want the tried and true. When I started out, I was a poor, sad, hella-broke law student and for that I highly suggest Target, Old Navy, Academy or if you have one near you, outlet malls are ALWAYS having those items on sale. The Round Rock Outlets even have an Asics outlet store (See: Tip 2). In fact, the closest outlet mall just opened an Asics outlet store where I can get my shoes for $10 cheaper. I’m also obsessed with Fabletics for cute workout gear, in general, but my best running gear has always been Nike gear.
Selfie Tip 5: Pick a Fun Race!
If you haven’t done so, ABSOLUTELY treat yourself to a Run Disney Race. It’s so. much. fun!! It’s legitimately the most wonderful community of runners meeting milestones and breaking barriers at the Happiest Place on Earth. Now, travel races are a bit stressful but picking something to look forward to, whether it’s San Antonio or Spain, makes your first race extra special.
Selfie Tip 6: B.E. Confident
Finally, have confidence! Trust me, if I could do it – so can you! I’ve had so many friends who saw me start this crazy quest and then see it was really doable. Now we have a whole crew of friends who are runners and it’s been such an honor to watch so many people I love achieve their goals.
What recommendations would you give to new runners? What’s something you wish you knew when you started running?