5 Ways to Fail at Half Marathon-ing

Race Recap time!!  I completed the Kansas City Half Marathon in 2:00:35.  As I mentioned on Monday, this was not my most successful race.  I will share with you guys all of the ways that I failed, so that you do not make the same mistakes! :)

How NOT to train and complete a half marathon...

Step 1-Do not train properly.  Ideally train just enough so that you won't back out of the race, but not enough to actually be prepared.  I did this by "training" for 5 weeks...long runs=6 miles, 6 miles, 7 miles, 8 miles, 10 miles.  Prior to that I was running 3-5 miles a few times a week.  Not exactly the best base to only train for 5 weeks.

Step 2-Drink too much the night before.  Bobby and I were celebrating our last date night before we get married.  Yes, I know that is not a thing!  Anywho, craft beer +  half of a bottle of wine at dinner + craft beer + cocktail = not a good way to hydrate for a race THE NEXT DAY!

Step 3-Because of Step 2-Forget to charge your phone (aka-what I use for music and Charity Miles and RunKeeper).  It was at 1% in the morning when I woke up to get ready to head to the race.  Whoopsy!!  I grabbed my iPod and it was dead, so I charged it for 20 minutes before heading out the door.  Thank goodness that my Garmin was charged.

Step 4-Forget money for parking, so have to park far away...making you almost late.  I left the house in plenty of time to arrive at the race on time, get to my pace group, and settle in before the race...if I could have parked in the parking garage that is close to the start of the race.  Unfortunately, I was so distracted by the phone situation that I didn't grab cash to pay the $5 to park.  The free garages were packed and had super long lines to park, so I headed to a parking lot quite a ways from the start. 

Step 5-Start waaayyy behind your pace group.  By the time I made it to the starting coral, it was almost time to go.  I made my way through the crowd from the very back to the 14 minute mile pace group.  There is nothing wrong with that pace, but I am normally between 8 and 9 minute pace (depending on the day).

Despite all of the failing, the race ended up being fun.  I started off slow and worked my way through the crowd.  I knew this wouldn't be a PR, so I didn't feel the pressure to weave and dart like a mad woman.  The first 4 miles of the Kansas City Half Marathon are the hardest.  There are several challenging hills to tackle, so the relaxed and slow pace was a blessing.  I decided to save my music until the marathon and half marathon split around mile 8.  I knew the lack of training would make the last miles more challenging and music would be a nice distraction.  Plus, 20 minutes of charging doesn't make for a long lasting iPod! 

I turned on my music and almost immediately heard someone yell my name.  It was my friend from volleyball.  She and another girl were also running.  Their pace was a little slower than what I normally run, but I was struggling.  I decided to stick with them for the rest of the race.  I am so thankful that they found me!!  Not only did it make the rest of the race fly by, but it made it fun! 







Some days it is not about how fast you run, it is about enjoying the race.  I definitely enjoyed the race thanks to those girls!!