First Half Marathon Tips | How To Run Your First Half Marathon

Tackling your first half marathon? Here are our top tips to get you race day ready.

↓↓ Which half marathon are you doing? Got any other tips you want to share? Let us know in the comments! ↓↓

What’s in this video?
00:00 Intro
00:17 Choose your goals
02:45 Don't forget to fuel
04:40 Choose a plan

MUSIC licensed by Artlist and Epidemic Sound:
ES_All Emotions - ELFL
ES_Another Side of You - House Of Say
ES_Wanna Run Away with You - The Big Let Down

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[andrewcarter]

My mum, who is 84, suddenly decided at the age of 60 to take up running. For the next 10 years she ran the Bristol half marathon and until she was 75 did the Bristol 10k as well. She embarrassed me into getting fit again after years of lethargy. In few weeks at the age of 60 I'll be running in the Goodwood half marathon, my 14th at the distance. Mum's recovering from a replacement knee last year and hopes to be as active as usual soon. Thanks mum.

[--Taz--]

I did my first half about 10 days ago. It was great, I was feeling good and kept a bit higher pace. I ended 15min quicker than what I was aiming for.

[tomascanevaro]

I ran my first HM yesterday in 2:09:39 😁apparently bellow average, but still happy

[BethanyBlount]

One other top tip I'd add is to strength train! I almost didn't finish my first half marathon; my hips were so tight and exhausted I had to walk several times. I didn't have any problems in training on my long runs or race pace runs, but putting them together was incredibly painful. Needless to say, I did not hit my goal time, but the first 5K and 10K of that race were the fastest of my race since they were actually at race pace. 😂

[susannaviles]

I just decided a few days ago that I want to do my first half next year, so this was a perfectly timed video and really helpful for me.

[conradburdekin]

Did my first half this august (only started any running at all in April). Set off too fast. Blew up at 14k.

Did my second half this October. Started slower. Accelerated from 14k. Ran my 5k pb in the last 5k of the half 😳.

Have become addicted to running. It’s honestly been life changing.

[NicksWhipShop]

I ran a half marathon by myself last night for the first time in my life in 2:15:00. Most of it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought, but once I hit the 9 mile mark, the pain set is fast and increased exponentially with every step, especially in the knees. By the end I was limping along at about a 12 minute mile time and had a tough time getting into my car. 16 hours later now, and I am crazy sore and climbing stairs is currently difficult. My body definitely wasn't ready for that since my average is only 3.5 to 4 miles 2 to 3 times a week, but I'm glad I did it! For those of you like me who don't have a lot of training time, if you're wanting to run a half marathon - it won't be easy, but you can make It!

[StephenMcLoughlin]

I started running 5 months ago after a car accident and being told to stop driving due to deteriorating eye sight (blind in one eye and myopic degeneration). So I decided if I can’t drive I’m going to run - at age 50 and only sports I’ve been involved in was watching on tele! Did my first 10k yesterday in 1.04, and recently got through the ballot for the London Marathon 2023 which now petrifies me!! Have a half on New Years Eve which is now my focus and would love around 2hrs - but plan A is to finish!! Loving the freedom of running and learning to live with aches and pains!!!! Love the video and thanks for the tips & encouragement! 🏃‍♂️

[vibingged]

The timing of this video could not have been better. I will be running my first ever half at the Queenstown marathon in NZ in six days, and this video just got me even more hyped for it! Wish me luck y’all.

[noyekt]

Seeing all the posts about first one either just past or coming up. Great job!! Its not easy to run a Half Marathon, it can be nervous, exciting and challenging, but the accomplishment knowing YOU can do it is worth it! I plan on running a Marathon next year so done a few Half's this year. It gets easier and better each time I run! Keep it up all!

[nealmansius]

Running a half in Frisco TX this April. Current pace 9:35 a mile.

Plan A: Sub 1:45 (cur PB is 2:05) 🔥
Plan B: eight sub 9 min miles 💪🏻
Plan C: Finish with a smile 😊

[UniqueAcountName]

I'm running my first half in June, super nervous, but also excited! This video was great timing

[kobusduplooy]

I am training for my fist half marathon in Feb 2023. At the age of 56 I decided to start running. My ultimate goal is to run the Ultra 65km Sky-Run trail in November 2023 and a 100 in 2024. Thank you for a great channel.

[happy_running_sober]

Amazing content as always! Doing the inaugural Falkirk Half-Marathon next Sunday (hometown for me) and very much looking forward to it.

Let's go!!

[chrisshaw]

If you are running a trail half marathon, study the elevation changes. It's all very well saying 'don't go off fast', but if the first mile is flat and then you go up a hill, then you may very well run your first mile faster than your second one (and that is perfectly ok). Also remember that walking up hills is a strategy, not a weakness - you must manage your heart rate.

If you have a target time, then you need to break your pace down into sections. If your half marathon is 6.6 miles up hill followed by 6.6 miles down hill, then you won't spend any time running at your average pace. The longer the run the more fun the maths gets (but you really want to do the maths at home so you can enjoy the scenery on your run!)

[jungtao]

Agreed on the ultimate tip. We all get really excited and start too fast.

[koricksisomphone]

I just ran my first half this past Sunday! It was so fun. Thanks for all the tips on your channel. It was hotter than expected, hilly, and I cramped up in both quads at mile 12 but I still hit my B goal through It all!

[Grmlin]

Did my first half marathon at the end of my first 70.3 Ironman. More training would have helped, but hit my C goal anyway, finished within cut off.

[HollieLChappell]

Love all these tips. After doing 3 half marathons I can say jelly babies are life!

[damienweatherley]

Such an awesome performance Sarah! And to be able to film at the same time and having jet lag is amazing!
I have also cried at the end of a marathon last year and also the Cambridge Half, this year. Something about finishing a race which I thought would be beyond my capability just makes everything boil over once its done and I felt myself welling up as I recalled it watching you at the end. Can't wait to do it again at MK in May! Keep creating Running Channel!