outdoors

Half Marathon Recap and Training

May 31, 2023 /

Well, my first half marathon is under my belt! While I actually mostly enjoyed the training leading up to it, I absolutely hated the half itself as the weather changed for the warmer and the morning was a southern Georgia morning at its best with a very high level of humidity. I have never drunk so much during a run (I typically don’t unless it is full summer since I do get dehydrated) and I have never walked so much during a race. My first reaction when I was done was that I wouldn’t never participate in half marathon again.

The training

I am part of our local running club which meets once a week at a different locations in town and which is headed by two running coaches. We meet at 6 PM on Tuesdays and I usually attend 3/4 of those weekly runs. One run a month includes intervals training (yuck), and the other runs are more social runs, but we typically run a minimum of 3 miles.

To train for the half marathon, I also ran long distances increasing distances until we ran a little over 10 mile runs on Saturdays. We probably started this training 4 months before the race. My friends and I meet at 6 AM on Saturdays and our typical runs during the year are from 4 to 6 miles and are more social, so we don’t run with a specific timed goal.

We increased our regular distance to 7 to 9 miles most Saturdays and a few runs were over 10 miles. Some of the gals made it to 13 miles, but I think I was out of town for that one. We were able to run miles less than 10 minutes with ease , but the weather was typically in the 50s when we ran. We had a mild spring until the week before mother’s day weekend which was when we raced. I love these early morning runs as the scenery is pretty and we sometimes can catch the sunrise.

The Race

I love the pictures my friends took! While a number of our sunrise crew ran the half, several of our group volunteered during the race and cheered us on and took a few snapshots. I started the race at a quick pace and had to slow myself down (8.30 min/mile the first one) but by mile 4, I was already fading. My times increased steadily from then on and most of my miles were more than 10 minutes.

While I am somewhat disappointed in myself for all of the walking, I am still okay with my time. My goal was to beat my brother (which I did) and to have a 2:05 time. Sadly, all of the walking gave me a 2:10 time.

My mantra as I ran after mile 6 or so was “mind over matter” and kept repeating it to myself (as well as praying) as I really just wanted to sit on the side of the road. The humidity and dehydration was definitely a problem for several of us as one of my friends experiences calf cramps and another one really had difficulties finishing (but she did!). I am so grateful for my running crew and for all of the support of my friends. We did an awesome job and for at least 3 of us, it was the first half marathon run!

If I ever do another half, it will not be this one (even though it is local). I am thinking one in the cooler month would be much better! Thank you, Sunrise Crew for being part of my life!

A bientôt!

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22 Comments

  • Joanne

    May 31, 2023 at 4:17 pm

    I’m always impressed by anyone that runs in any sort of race of any length! I think you did great despite the awful heat and humidity.

  • Marsha Banks

    June 1, 2023 at 12:13 am

    Congratulations on this huge achievement, Mireille! I think I would have just given up with the heat and humidity. It just drains you. So, I think you should count that as one of your goals…running and finishing a marathon in Georgia’s heat and humidity!

    But, how did you mange to look so good while doing it!!!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

    • mimifce

      June 1, 2023 at 12:58 pm

      Oh, I wanted to give up so badly and it really had to do with the weather because I really didn’t have problems like this all those Saturdays we ran 7-10 miles. And I look like dead meat in some of those pictures lol!

  • Laura Bambrick

    June 1, 2023 at 10:14 pm

    Half marathons in the heat are TOUGH! You are a trooper for finishing! Make sure you are hydrating with electrolytes and fueling with some type of snack as well (I like the sport jelly beans personally). It really makes a difference in the heat!

    • mimifce

      June 2, 2023 at 1:19 pm

      I don’t run as much here in the summer, just some early morning runs and a lot shorter! Thanks for the suggestions, I might have to look up those sports jelly beans!

  • Alexandra

    June 5, 2023 at 3:30 pm

    Double high five! Awesome job! I’ve been practicing my running bouncing back from walking and jogging so I can get into better shape. This inspires me to keep going!

  • Gail

    June 6, 2023 at 1:37 am

    Well done for completing your first half marathon! You were unlucky with the humidity and hydration. My husband ran over 30 marathons in many countries and some were horrendous – Hawaii started at 5am to try to avoid the heat but it was soon blazingly hot, and he finished an hour later than normal. Your training group sounds fun and I’m sure you’ll have a better experience next time.

    • mimifce

      June 12, 2023 at 2:58 pm

      Your husband is amazing! My running club and my Saturday morning gals are a wonderful group to run with.

  • Leslie Susan Clingan

    June 6, 2023 at 9:20 pm

    I just cannot imagine running much more than a 5K. And even that requires a lot of praying and mantra-reciting on my part!! You did so well. Congratulations!! Love the photos of your facial expressions. And so what if you walked a bit…you got out there and DID it!! Amazing feat in my book. High five, girl!!