After dozens of long early morning runs and months of training, I was just days away from my first Half Marathon. My race outfit had been laid out days beforehand. My Garmin watch was charged. I had studied the course over and over again. Then, during race week, I became mysteriously sick.
Early into the week, I had set out for a short four-mile run, and at mile three, I became so dizzy I could barely make it back to my house. The lightheadedness lingered for days. Two days before the half marathon, I had my husband take me to the doctor because I was so dizzy I couldn't even drive.
My doctor ran a series of tests and each one came back normal. I cried in his office when I told him that I had a goal race in two days.
The diagnosis? Stress.
He said I had stressed myself out so much that my anxiety had manifested as lightheadedness. In other words, I had brought it on myself. It was one of many hard lessons I learned.
I did make it to the starting line that Sunday morning, and I finished the race, but that finish didn't come easily. For runners planning on tackling your first half marathon, here are five lessons I learned going into the race.
1. Don't stress out
I made myself sick over the race, and I didn't even realize it. It's easy to become overwhelmed by a half marathon training plan, and even easier to get frustrated when you don't hit all of your weekly mileage.
Don't panic over a tough week now and then in training. You might get sick or have an emergency at home. You might have to cut runs short because you haven't adjusted to the warmer temperatures. Trust your training over the long-term because that's what shows up on race day.
2. Take some time to focus on other things
A good game plan is important, and you'll want to map out your training and nutrition, but a goal half marathon race doesn't have to become an obsession, and most of us aren't pro or elite athletes.
Take time during training to step back from thinking about your race and enjoy an afternoon away from it. Thank your significant other for supporting you during the chaos of training. Let your family and friends know you are grateful for their encouragement. By focusing on other things, your brain will get a much-needed break from preparing for race day.
3. Before the race, fuel and hydrate correctly
I was so worried that I would dehydrate somewhere out on the course that I swallowed a lot of water the day before-- much more than I usually drink before a long run. On race day, about half a mile into the course, I felt the water sloshing around inside my stomach, and at mile three, I had to make a pit stop.
Before heading to the race, hydrate and fuel as you normally do before a long run. If it's a warm race day, you'll want to take in more fluid as you run. Trust that your body is poised to go the distance by making sure you get enough food and fluid leading up to the race. Don't skip out on fueling up because of nerves; you'll lose out on precious energy later in the race.
4. Trust your training
The day of my race, I worried that I wouldn't be able to make it 13.1 miles, and that thought hung over my head for the first seven miles--a long time to carry that negativity.
Trust that you've trained adequately for your race. Sure, there may have been days that were rough or miles you missed, but if you've managed to complete most of your training goals, you can finish a half marathon. Don't let the fear of a DNF (did not finish) follow you during the race.
5. Celebrate the starting line
Many runners at the start of my half marathon chatted with one another about nerves, shoes and training. Where there were first-timers, others high-fived them and congratulated them.
Don't miss that part. Celebrate that you've made it to the starting line. It's a big accomplishment. No matter how the race turns out, you've made a great victory in just showing up.
My race didn't pan out like I thought. I became dizzy at mile six. I had to run/walk the last four miles. I missed out on my goal time, but I finished the race. Next time I see the half marathon starting line, I'll be stronger and faster, and I'll train a little smarter.
(Source: Online).