Inquisitive.me

Today was the day—I ran my first half-marathon! I’m genuinely proud of myself and everything I’ve accomplished. I was a bit nervous going into it (even had a dream that I’d miss the start!), so sleep wasn’t great. But despite that, I felt surprisingly strong and energized the whole way through.

Just like with my training—which I’ve talked about before—I went into the race with three clear goals:

1. Minimum goal: Finish. Anything can happen—an overworked tendon, illness, unexpected obstacles. Even if I had to walk parts of it, crossing that finish line would be a win.
2. Realistic goal: Complete it in under 2.5 hours. I’m not new to running, but until last year, I’d never gone beyond 10 km in one go. I wanted to challenge myself without putting too much pressure on my first race.
3. Ideal goal: Break 2 hours. A stretch for a first-timer, especially at a 5:45/km pace for 21 km. But I kept it in mind—just in case everything went perfectly.

I came so close to my ideal goal—and I couldn’t be prouder! I felt strong for most of the course, picked up my pace halfway through, and somehow summoned a final sprint at the finish line with the crowd cheering. Pure magic.

Here are 13 lessons I learned while training for and running my first half-marathon:

1. Training was tougher than the race. My 12-week prep? Exhausting. Fitting in long runs took serious effort and ate up free time. Missed a run? No biggie—just keep going.
2. Plan deload weeks. Don’t just add mileage week after week—your body needs recovery. Scale back every 2–4 weeks, even for strength training.
3. Strength training is a secret weapon. Not just legs—core and arms matter. I did weekly full-body sessions with supersets to save time. Worth it.
4. Don’t skip stretching. Keep joints, tendons, and ligaments happy. Stretch on rest days, not immediately after intense sessions.
5. Compression gear and gimmicks aren’t essential. Train smart instead, and your body will thank you.
6. Mix up running styles. Vary pace, technique, and terrain. Hills may look harmless… until km 15. They’ll challenge you—but also give you an edge.
7. Run by feel. Don’t obsess over pace. Push when strong, slow down when needed. Intuition is key. But still keep it in the back of your head.
8. Travel light. Extra gear adds weight. A few gels? Fine. Backpack? Only if necessary.
9. Races give extra energy. Crowds and fellow runners boost you—ride the wave.
10. Start smart. Don’t get swept up in early hype. Begin slow, overtake later. Strategy beats sprinting early.
11. Run for something meaningful. A cause or personal reason gives purpose and a little extra push.
12. Soak in the atmosphere. Every cheer counts—let it lift you.
13. High-five tiny hands. Kids on the sidelines make magic. Don’t miss it.

Preparing for any big challenge? Fall in love with the process. Celebrate the small victories, embrace the ups and downs, and savor every lesson. Crossing the finish line is amazing—but the journey is where the real growth happens.

🧪 Let’s Experiment

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Focus on the small wins.

Big goals are exciting—but it’s the tiny victories along the way that keep you going.

🎯 Try This:

• Plan smart: I used The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington to stay focused. Mapping out each week—weekly mileage, which training sessions, target pulse—kept me on track.
• Set micro-goals: Focus on small wins each session or week—whether it’s a new personal best, running a bit farther, or simply sticking to your plan.
• High five yourself: Celebrate every win, no matter how small. Track it, note it, or share it with someone—it all counts.

🧠 Final Thought:

When you shift your focus from only the finish line to the progress you’re making, the journey becomes more enjoyable. And when race day arrives, the sense of accomplishment will be even sweeter because you’ve already acknowledged how far you’ve come.

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Keep it simple, stay curious, and keep learning—you’ve got this.

Take care,

Carina 🦊