October 1, 2015

The Truth about Walking a Half Marathon

FitOne Half Marathon

I did it! I finished my first ever half marathon!

Thank you to everyone who shared their support and tips last week. 

I'm not here to toot my own horn. I know walking a half marathon doesn't seem all that special - people run them and full marathons all the time.

But for me it was a big deal, and I'm proud I did it. Doing it with my mom made it that much more special, because it was something I don't think either of us ever thought we'd accomplish.

We came. We walked. We conquered. 

Was it a walk in the park? No. It was not. Not unless it's a 13.1 mile park with hills.

FitOne Half Marathon in Boise
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There were definitely some things I wish I had known before I participated in this event. Things I learned from doing a half marathon, and walking it. So I thought I'd share!

1 | Even if you are walking you need to train. We did two "training" walks prior to the half marathon, the longest of which being about 7 miles, with lots of stops. I wish I would have taken preparing for this event much more seriously. If we had walked regularly leading up to it I think I would have been in a lot better shape during and after. Yes, just for walking!

2 | Bring your own snacks. That goo they give you is disgusting.

3 | Be prepared to be at the end of the pack. Or not in the pack at all. This was probably the toughest part for me. As such a competitive person it was difficult for me to feel like I was in last place. In reality we weren't, there were still other half marathoners behind us. But at several points in the race it seemed we were the only ones on the course. My mom kept bringing it up and I tried not to let it phase me. What was important was our goal to finish, not that we would finish in front of people.

4 | You will be sore. I don't care who you are, walking 13.1 miles is a lot of miles. Ok, maybe it's just if you are a desk sitter like me. The farther we got in the race the more I could feel it. In my feet of course, but also in my hips, thighs and lower back. I'm so glad Erin told me to use Vaseline on my feet, I was able to keep it to just one blister!

FitOne Half Marathon
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5 | At some point you will want to quit. For me it was between miles 8 and 9 when we walked right past where my mom's car was parked. I mean it was right there. And I was hurting all over. It would be so easy to just... quit. 

6 | Having a race buddy is important. Maybe it's different if you are running it, but having someone to talk to and motivate me the whole race through was key. I'm lucky it was with my mom, who I can easily have 3 hour conversations with anyway. 

7 | You're going to want to soak it all in, quietly. You see the finish line. You finally cross the finish line. And then there's the "holy crap we did it" moment. You surreal-y put on your medal and walk haphazardly through the finish festival. I don't think I gave myself nearly enough credit. I should have hugged my mom and shouted to the mountain tops "I DID IT!" But I didn't. I just let it soak in, let that smile spread across my face, and finally let my body collapse into the grass. 

My first half marathon


We finished our first half marathon at 3 hours and 34 minutes. Smashing my goal of less than 4 hours. Will I do it again? Maybe. Run it next time? HAHAHAHAHA...

But really, maybe someday.


Have you done a half marathon? What takeaways did you find? Any tips for my next one?

Linking up with Kels for the Secret Blogger Club!

The Blonder Side of Life
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25 comments:

  1. A half marathon is on my bucket list. I know that training would be hugely important, but I just can't ever imaging running that many miles at one time! Like you, walking it seems intimidating. I'm sore and in pain after just a day in disney world!

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  2. So awesome you did this with your mom! I l have participated in 3 half marathons with a run/walk combo. I struggled the most with knowing how much slower I was than a lot of my peers even though I was still in the upper half of finishers. Training is the biggest followed by support...both a running/walking buddy during training and race day as well as support from friends and family along the course. Oh...and I had to have a great playlist!

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  3. Whoohoo! Congratulations! Love your pictures!

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  4. Omg go girl!!! I did my first 5k last year and I barely trained and oh boy it was tough, but I was so so proud when I crossed the finish line. I want to step it up, but walking or not you finished it!!

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  5. Congrats, that's so awesome! I haven't done a half, but I walked a 10-miler and that was such a huge accomplishment for me!

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  6. Congrats girl!!! I knew you guys were going to finish!!! Good to know about vaseline on the feet....I will have to keep that in mind if I ever get crazy and decide to do something like that. Great job!!!!!!!!

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  7. Congrats! That's such an awesome accomplishment!

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  8. Congrats, that it so amazing! I'm the least runnist runner ever. I keep trying to get better at it but my body rejects running. I did my first 10K and walked a majority of it, and you're right, no one cares!

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  9. Congrats on finishing! That's awesome, races are such a good thing to do- the wait for one helps to motivate to keep working out. I love your photos- so bright and pretty!~

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  10. Way to go, lady! I did not know about Vaseline on the feet, thanks! I think it's awesome you and your mom conquered this together.

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  11. That's awesome good for y'all!! I run/walked a half before so I can definitely relate to the part of being behind and having people passing me left and right. Fast I am not lol. BUT the important part is that you were out there and beat your goal! Thanks for linkin up!

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  12. walking or running, 13 miles is still 13 miles! congrats! in fact, i think i get more sore, especially in my hips, if i walk vs run. i had never heard of vaseline on my feet, mind blown!

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  13. Omg... that's so awesome! I am proud of you. I probably would have gotten in the car lol

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  14. Woohoo! I would be sooo sore and dead after that. And you beat your goal time, so that's awesome! I never knew the Vaseline trick, I'm totally going to remember that!

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  15. I am registering for my 8th half marathon & can't wait...
    It is tough being in the back of the pack where it gets sorts spotty of seeing other people...
    My first, I wanted to quit the exact same place - but you're more then half way done at that point :)
    Training will make the whole difference to you! I didn't train my first half & my time was 3:45 - my next year, I trained - & cut about 45 minutes off that time :)

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  16. Walking 13.1 miles is no joke! Way to go for finishing and beating your time goal! I don't think I've ever walked that many miles at once, and I can't imagine running that many miles!

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  17. Congrats! What a great accomplishment! I love your tips! I have done a few half marathons and one marathon. My tip is to read ALL the signs people make in support. They are hilarious! Trish - tales from trish

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  18. Super-proud of you!! Now how do we make you less of a desk sitter? That's gonna wreck you for life!

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  19. Congratulations on your accomplishment! I can't even imagine doing a 2 mile walk, much less a half marathon! You're amazing.

    Morgan | theradwife.blogspot.com

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  20. Even if you did walk it you still did it and that's something to be proud of! I can't wait until I get a medal for my first half! And I love that you and your mama did it together - so special!

    Also, vaseline?! I get the WORST blisters because of bunions so I need to know this trick!

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  21. YAYAYAYAY! That's an awesome accomplishment! I want to shout it from the rooftops for you, girl.

    I usually feel my motivation going around the 8-9 mile mark myself. Last year, my boyfriend and I ran a half together and he was so pissy at that point that I almost got into a shouting match on the course. That shit makes me cranky!

    But there's nothing like that feeling of finishing. Go you, fo' realz. Also, check out different shoe-tying techniques if you noticed pressure/pain in specific areas of your feet.

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  22. I would never run a half marathon, but walking seems so much more enjoyable. Congrats on finishing!

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  23. You go girl!!! So glad the vaseline helped, too!! 13.1 miles is a FEAT no matter how you get to that finish line :) I couldn't believe how sore I was after my first one which I jog/walked. My hips ACHE after that many miles ha!

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  24. Good Job!! Like Erin said above, you should definitely feel accomplished after finishing 13.1 miles regardless of how you finished it!

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  25. Huge congrats! A half marathon IS a big deal. I've never done anywhere close to that, so I take my metaphorical hat off to you. It also means I have no helpful tips to share, but to be honest, it sounds like you don't need any!

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