Everyone Should Run A Half Marathon

Yep, I know, the title is a bit over the top and has a touch of bully - but it's hard to quench my excitement for the half marathon.   It is my favorite distance! 

It's the perfect distance for most runners and especially us slower runners.   It's not too long that we need to plan for the entire day away and its not so short that it is obvious how slow we are running.   Any heartful awe and wonder we don't get from the crowds with our speed we make up in their admiration of our spirit to run "that far" or for "that long".   Half marathons smile more and longer - we are the darlings of the race - at least until the marathoners get back.

The training does take time to get in the long runs, but even those are 2-ish hours can be found in the schedule.  Where the marathon asks for 12-16 weeks of training to get ready, the half marathon can be tackled with as few of 6-8 and still live to tell about it. The distance does requires training - but you can still cover it somewhat comfortably and completely with little training and good intentions when push comes to shove. 

Race day is still a big deal.   There are still the nerves and careful preparation, but you know you can't get into serious trouble in a half marathon.   You can finish in about 2-3 hours, even at a relaxed pace, which puts you on track to pick up lunch on the way home from the race and you still have the day left to play, do chores or relax.   And if your nonrunning life has kids and commitment, the half marathon is gracious enough to allow you to still live out the day without a long nap.   Although, if you are lucky enough to get one it is the icing on the cake.

It's a serious distance.  It isn't one for the weak or runner who hasn't commited.  Because it is for real runners, any runner who takes it on earns the right to buy the best running gear, gadgets and other stuff to make them look as cool as they feel.   

And even though the distance can be forgiving, it still must be respected.   Tom has said in the past, "if you run the marathon wrong, it can really hurt."   And if you have run a marathon wrong, you know "hurt" doesn't even come close to describing those feelings of pain.   For the half marathon, the same holds true.   If you break the basic rules of training, it can hurt.  But she is more gentile than her evil twin brother the marathon.  She will punish you for a day, maybe two, and three tops and then you are free to dream of your next half marathon again.

The training and distance may be a fraction of a full, but the joy and pleasure of finishing isn't reduced to a margin of a big race.   It's all still there and all still worth it.

I can't wait for my next one!

Comments

[august]

wow, that was actually motivating to someone like me who says she could never do it. I am first aiming for a 5 mile, then a 10K before I commit to a half though but after reading this, I've gone from a "never" to a "quite possibly maybe someday".

Thanks ;)

[madeline]

The half is my favorite distance now, too. After 4 full marathons, finishing my first half last year brought me an epiphany: I'm not crippled, I didn't spend half my waking hours running to prepare, and I still feel like I accomplished something significant (always important!).

Good post.

[viv]

I am training for my first 1/2 now. It seems like a long road there but I am looking forward to it. Thanks Amy

[Danielle in Iowa]

I took last year off from distance because of injury and I ran the Phoenix half in January and I had totally forgotten how much fun half marathons are! None of that running 'til you wanna puke that accompanies 5ks and 10ks and you can still actually function afterwards, unlike the marathon. I can't wait to run my next either! Perhaps Drake, hmmmm....

[Nancy]

Great post. That made me proud that I did the half when a full had been my goal, although that 2 - 3 hours at a comfortable pace made me chuckle. (2:59) :D I guess there is lots of room for improvement!!

I'm going to try a little running today, hopefully we can get back out there soon.

[Bob Gentile]

I agree, Great Distance that will give many people a huge sense of accomplishment and next day be able to walk :-)

[Nat]

Evil Twin Brother!!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!

(Halfs are my favourite lengths as well.)

[Jess]

I completely agree. The half is the perfect distance. It requires the right amount of dedication. Not carving out 4 hours for a 20 mile training run, but rather just like 2 for a 10-miler. And the recovery time is so much more forgiving. That's why I'm trying to fit at least 4 halfs on my race calendar for this year.

[Nitmos]

I tend to agree that the half marathon is the perfect distance. But, if I'm going 13.1 already, I feel like I might as well go the whole way (26.2)!

[RazZDoodle]

Wow! I'm even more jacked up for my HM in May now! If I like the HM, I"m going to strongly consider the Des Moines marathon in October.

"If you break the basic rules of training, it can hurt." That statement makes me a bit nervous.

[Doug]

Ah yes, the half is a great distance; quite possibly my favorite!

But... my thoughts on it can wait until Thursday! ;)

[Topher]

Couldn't have said it any better myself!

[Betsy]

I'm looking forward to running my first half in May!

[Amy]

I am so glad you share my love of halfs. It just makes me want to get out there and run! Only 16 weeks to one of my favorite almost halfs - Dam 2 Dam.

[Allison]

I do love a good half!! So far it's the longest distance I've run...but even after I run a marathon I have a feeling it will still hold the coveted "favorite race length" spot in my heart. :)