You might have participated in many challenging races of your life, but there is nothing like a half marathon. You need lot of stamina and motivation to finish the half marathon because it is indeed an overwhelming distance. You need to prepare both your mind and body for this marathon or else it will consume you completely on “the” day. Here are some essential tips to make your training period enjoyable and easier:
At least 10 weeks of training plans
When you talk to experts or do web search you will find that 10-16 weeks is a common duration for the training preparation of half-marathon. The runners should have a minimum of ten weeks of training as it accustoms the body for sudden set back or injury. In addition, it will give you more time to adapt to the tiresome demands that come along with the training.
Cross-training
Apart from daily running, the prospective participants must also indulge in aerobic cross-training along with light resistance training as it can greatly balance your running fitness. Cycling and swimming are great forms of cross-training that mainly target the core and upper body to facilitate good running form and helps to easily battle fatigue.
Study about the race
It would not be wise if you are preparing for a particular race without researching about it completely. You need to have each and every detail regarding the race at your disposal before the race. For instance, you must be aware of the sports drink that would be provided on the race track, frequency of drink-break, duration of the race, use of hydration belt, etc. It is always advised to avoid the use of a new sports drink during race as you may never know how it will affect you at that time.
Listen to your body
As much as training is important for first half marathon, taking rest is also an integral part of your schedule. You need to listen to your body and must not deny it the time to rebuild and repair. If you do not have a weekly off then your body's ability to recover may diminish, making you more susceptible to injury. You should adhere to the scheduled rest days to make sure everything is as per norm.