10 Things I Learned Running My First Half Marathon

Running my first half marathon (and learning half marathon lessons the hard way) changed my life.

I learned lessons. So many lessons.

Some spanned beyond running and into real world lessons.

Like persistence. How to make a goal and stick to it (and then achieve it). How to overcome bad days.

However, there was also a healthy mix of learning what NOT to do.

Save yourself time and read these top 10 half marathon lessons I learned from running my first half marathon – hopefully this helps you prepare for yours better than I did for mine!

Note: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, if you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission to help keep the site running. This is at no additional cost to you. And we won’t ever, ever write about a product we don’t believe in. Opinions are entirely our own.

1.) Follow the Training Schedule

Yeah, everyone says this, but really, do it.

For my first half marathon, I trained exactly according to schedule for the first 4 or 5 weeks, and then I got complacent.

My body was feeling good at that point. Long runs weren’t that long yet, so every run felt great.

I was in that “early-in-the-training” ambitious stage.

Then…I got tired. And kind of complacent.

I added extra rest days sometimes when I didn’t need to (not out of need…I just thought I was doing so well, I could reward myself…wrong).

I also slacked BIG TIME on cross training. Cross training days got dropped more often than not.

Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t take rest days when you need them, or alter the schedule a little to fit life…but don’t let it become a habit. And do it with purpose.

>>NEED A HALF MARATHON TRAINING SCHEDULE? Try the Half Marathon Training Schedule for Beginners (7 Steps to Your First Half Marathon).

2.) Cross Training is Everything

Injuries arise when you don’t do cross training too.

I learned the hard way just how important cross training is to a runner.

Here’s What Happened to Me:

It’s my first half marathon. Mile 6. Feeling pretty good. Then BAM – shooting pains in the right knee.

So I begin to hobble-run. I rip my water bottle handle off and tie it around my knee in desperation to try to stop the pain.

I WILL finish this race. I trained 12+ weeks for this. My family is at the finish line. I will NOT stop…(said through gritted teeth and tears).

I finished (yay!). But vowed never again to skip over cross training.

Simple glute, hamstring and hip strengthening exercises would have probably prevented the travesty that was the last 7.1 miles of that half marathon. Sigh. Lesson learned.

3.) Test Food During Long Runs Mid-Training Schedule

Everyone’s stomach is different. Don’t assume certain foods will work mid-run until you try them first.

Start testing foods halfway through your training schedule (when long runs get to about 7 or 8 miles). That way, if something doesn’t sit right, you still have plenty of long runs left to find the right food.

For example, my first taste of GU was awful and I almost spit it out.

But after trying some others things that didn’t work, I tried a different flavor GU a few weeks later and ended up liking it a lot (and my stomach did too, luckily).

Here’s a list of yummy food to try before, during and after long runs.

Learning half marathon lessons the hard way before the race makes race day 100x better.

P.S. I also learned that buying GU in bulk is way more convenient and cheaper than buying individual packets all the time.

4.) Toe Socks are Life, The Chafing Struggle is Real

My toes are apparently sensitive little flowers. Humidity? Blister. 6+ mile run? Blister.

That’s why discovering toe socks was life-altering.

Ok maybe just “training-altering”, but honestly – performance socks (like Balega) and Injinji toe socks saved my training.

Also – chafing sucks, and the solution is Aquaphor or BodyGlide (or vaseline). Slather that stuff on before long runs. You won’t regret it.

5.) Don’t be Cheap with Running Shoes

I like a good bargain. But I’ve learned not to sacrifice quality – especially in running shoes.

In fact, to be more clear -> absolutely do NOT sacrifice quality for price with your running shoes.

Spend (at the bare minimum) $50 but you will be better served with $70-$100+ running shoes because they are engineered for running and will last you 250-300 miles.

Get fitted for the right running shoes. Running shoes that fit your feet help reduce the chance of foot, shin and ankle injuries, and increase your running enjoyment tenfold.

Cheap running shoes aren’t always designed for runners (weird, but true) – they are often designed for general exercise and can’t always withstand constant running motions. You kind of lose out in the long run too – why “save” money buying the cheaper pair if they only last half the time?

You will thank yourself after wearing properly-fitted running shoes (I promise).

6.) Pace Yourself – Even if You Feel Really Good

Around Mile 5 or 6, I started to feel great. The endorphins were kicking in. I’d had my caffeinated GU snack.

So I sped up. Faster than my training pace (and my target pace).

If you’ve read the beginning part of this post you know what happened – knee injury at mile 6!

Lesson here: You trained a certain way for a reason – don’t push your body past it’s limits on race day. Especially during your first half marathon.

7.) Don’t Compare Yourself to Other Runners

My thought process during my first half marathon:

“Look at all these people! 

They are so fast! 

Why am I not fast?

Wait, isn’t that guy like 80?

Why is he running faster than me?

Should I try to keep up with him? He’s 80, I should be able to keep up with him! Should I speed up? WHY AM I SO SLOW?!”

This is a terrible way to think.

Do NOT compare yourself to other runners during a race. You have no clue what their story is.

They could be on Half Marathon #500 with a sub-1:30:00 goal (that’s under a 6:50 pace for those of you playing along at home).

In other words – work towards your own goal. The one you decided on before the race started.

8.) Adrenaline and Pure Determination Kick In Around Mile 11

There’s a quote floating around that goes something like:

“The race always hurts. You don’t train so it doesn’t hurt, you train so you can tolerate it.”

This is so true. Especially in your first half marathon.

Many beginner’s training schedules don’t even get you past 10 or 11 miles until race day.

Have no fear – exhaustion will set in, but if you have the right mindset and positive outlook, so will the adrenaline and determination.

Keep pushing – the adrenaline rush is beautiful and pure determination gets you through tough times (like Miles 10-13.1). 🙂

9.) Learn Correct Recovery Techniques

As per the quote in #8, you will hurt. You will be sore. But there are ways to lessen the impact and improve recovery.

Some techniques for proper recovery after your first half marathon include:

• Hydrate immediately after (and the next 24hrs+)
• Eat carbs + protein immediately after (or at least within the next 30 minutes)
• Don’t sit down the minute you finish, instead, walk a bit to cool down
• And then stretch really well 
• Foam roll over the next 48hrs to loosen the muscles and reduce the lactic acid buildup in your muscles (that can cause cramping and soreness, among other things) This high-density foam roller is magical and inexpensive. Learn what foam roller moves work best for runners in The Complete Foam Rolling Guide for Runners.
• Try to eat (mostly) healthy, nutritious foods that day (refer to Nutrition 101: The Ultimate Guide to Nutrition for Runners)
• While tempting, do not consume tons of alcohol after the race (even if the beer is free) – you need to hydrate, not get dehydrated

Obviously treating yourself to a post-run drink or dessert (etc) is fine…but just don’t go overboard.

10.) The “Runners High” Is Real, and Half Marathons are Addictive (and scary)

I never ran more than 3 or 4 miles before training for my first 10 Miler (with the half marathon happening a few months later).

My runner friends would go on and on about “the runners high”.

I thought they were crazy.

But let me tell you – the elated, happy, motivated feeling I get around Mile 5 or 6 during a long run or half marathon is unrivaled.

I see why runners “chase” this feeling now.

But in order to get this feeling, you need 2 things:

1.  The right training so your body can perform without injury
2.  A positive attitude

That’s why I say half marathons are addictive (the runners high!) but also scary because you need to commit to doing it right.

Ok, “Scary” is probably an exaggeration.

Intimidating? Maybe.

A lot of work? Certainly.

But so rewarding. If you train right, and have the right attitude, you will feel SO accomplished at the end.

Try one!

Ready to run your first half marathon now?!

Follow this 7 Step Half Marathon Training for Beginners Guide!

What did you learn from you first half marathon experience? Tell me in the comments, I’d love to hear!