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So you are going to run your first half marathon this year?
That's great, I hope you have chosen the News and Sentinel Half Marathon to break into long distance running.
You are not alone in your desire to run this exciting distance. Each year more than two million people globally choose to run in 13.1 mile races, just about double the number that does full marathons. I personally think it is a great length. It's long enough to challenge you while being short enough that it will not wipe you out for a month.
An interesting thing about doing a half marathon is that it is an intensely personal journey while at the same time a journey with a whole bunch of people striving to do exactly what you are doing, and a whole other group of people there to make sure you have what you need to succeed.
Let me explain. We are all different --Different weight, different height, and different age, for that matter, different leg length. You get the idea. Everything about us, the little things that make us individuals, effect our ability to cover 13.1 miles.
I will use myself as an example. I have freakishly short legs, and I am not that tall to start with, short legs require more steps. My wife and I are the same height; I take around 10 percent more steps than she does to cover the same distance. To do a half marathon takes me about 30 thousand steps. I have a co-worker doubt me on that amount a few years ago. I settled the disagreement by having both of us both walk 10 paces in the middle of the newsroom. She was several feet ahead of me at the end.
People typically move slower as they get older. Every day we all get older, and like a classic car, we may not move as fast as we once did. That's why we give age category awards. The idea is to keep moving. I'm more impressed by the "classic" runners and walkers on the course than the "new models" that can get out there and put 13.1 miles behind them with little training. Weight of course can impact how well you do on the course. Unless you are rucking, you cannot choose to leave the extra 20 pounds at home.
What we have in common of course is that we are all going the exact same distance. Running or walking, you will be covering exactly 13.1 miles. You may "find yourself" along those miles because unlike many hours of your life you will have a little while to think about what you are doing. What you will find is that it is pretty amazing. I was 58 years old when I did my first half. I wasn't sure I would be able to finish, but I knew if I stopped, I definitely would not finish and likely would never try again so I pressed on.
What you find along the course is a whole bunch of people rooting for you. The other racers are there for inspiration. -- Surely you can catch the guy in the yellow shirt 100 yards in front of you -- That middle-aged woman doesn't look that fast, I'm pretty sure I can catch her on the next hill. Inspirational too are those people along the course that are there to support you. We have more water stops than most marathons. Those people are there to give you cold water, Gatorade, and perhaps a piece of candy.
Take advantage of them to recharge yourself. It's all right to walk a little. Drinking from a cup while you are running is tricky; it's a great excuse to slow down to a walk before running to the next stop.
When you make the left turn onto Market Street late in the race you are truly not alone. The slower you are the closer you will be to the start of the homecoming parade. The course will be lined with people lining the curb to cheer you on. As an extra bonus, after going up and down hills all day, the last few blocks are downhill. Soak it in, wave to people like you're running for office and cross the finish line like you have just won the Olympics. You have earned it.
Art Smith is co-director of the News and Sentinel Races. You can reach him at asmith@newsandsentinel.com