How to Slowly Prepare to Run a Half Marathon
Running is one of the best exercises that you could ever do to improve your health and lifestyle. In addition to the benefits that you can get out of it, you can also train for it practically everywhere and without the need for special gear and equipment. That said, if you’re getting ready to run a half-marathon, there are ways in which you can slowly prepare yourself. A few of these are outlined below, so use them for inspiration.
Set a Schedule
The first thing that you should do is to set a schedule and incorporate your practice hours into it. This will make it a lot easier for you to keep up with the training that you need to do, and as a result, you can build up to consistent results. Keep in mind that you may want to start small and build up as you adjust slowly. That said, the average pace for walking is about 4 mph, so you can start at slightly higher than this, using an app on your phone to help you measure your speed. You can then adjust slowly over time as your body is comfortable so that you don’t strain or injure yourself.
Mix it Up
To make sure that you’re getting as much exercise as you need, remember to mix things up. This involves incorporating different kinds of exercise into your routine. As a result of this, you have a great chance of making sure that you prepare your whole body for the event. This will give you a much better chance of avoiding possible issues at any point in the entire event. It’s also going to give you an amazing overall health boost over time, giving you the chance to improve your lifestyle once and for all.
Get the Gear You Need
Next, while running may not call for you to get a lot of gear and equipment, there are a few basics that you’ll need to have. The main one is good running shoes, of which it’s a good idea to have at least two pairs. This can keep you safe from suffering from something like blisters on your feet, which can leave you worse for wear before the day of the marathon even arrives. If you do develop blisters, note that these typically heal in three to seven days, according to NHS Inform. That said, proceed with the knowledge that prevention is always better than cure.
Train in Different Locations
It’s a great idea to vary your training locations if you can, adding as much variety as you can. While it may be easier to stick to a route that you enjoy, you won’t be doing your body a lot of favors by taking this course. By running on varied terrain and new environments whenever you can, you’ll train both your body and mind to adjust effectively to new terrain, something that you’ll be glad you did come the day of the marathon. If possible, check the course map of the marathon and try to train in an area with a similar layout and geography beforehand.
Get Proper Nutrition
The nutrition that you get in the days leading up to the marathon will play a big role in helping you set yourself up for success. Within a week or even less, you should start to adjust to a diet that’s low in fiber but high in carbohydrates to avoid gastrointestinal upsets. Carbohydrates will give you energy for the race and therefore give your endurance and performance an overall boost.
If you have kids, they may want to join you during training, especially if they’re free, and you’re not going far. You may want to let them join you as it could prove to be an amazing bonding experience. Just make sure that they’re safe and also have the right gear, keeping in mind that kids as young as three learn to understand the real world through pretend play, according to The Genius of Play. The younger the kids are when you go training with them, the gentler that day’s training may need to be.