A Little Introduction For Beginners
Many runners do a marathon to test their limits, lose weight, or raise awareness for a charity. No matter what the reason, it is important to start training for the event earlier to fully participate and stay motivated. A half marathon as the name indicates is 13.1 miles long as compared to a normal marathon which covers 26 miles. Before we discuss how to train for half marathons in PA, it is important to remember that you cannot become Eliud Kipchoge overnight and the whole preparation takes time. Before we dig into the weeks-long preparation for the long-distance running event, let’s take a look at the different types of marathons.
Different Types of Marathons
- 10K Run: As the name suggests, a 10K run covers a distance of 10 kilometers or 6.2 miles. This race is a perfect match for beginners who’ve become comfortable with running and want to test their stamina. But like any other marathon, a 10K run always requires dedicated preparation and training.
- Half Marathon: A half marathon, as pointed out above, covers a distance of 13.1 miles or 21.1 kilometers. It is perfect for runners who’ve completed a 10K run and want to further challenge their limits. Running a half marathon requires physical and mental preparation and a proper diet plan to run the distance.
- Standard Marathon: A full or standard marathon covers a distance of 26.2 miles or 42.2 kilometers. The preparation for this event starts 6 months in advance. Preparing yourself mentally is very important to participate in this event. Make sure that you complete your training run in a specified time period to complete the marathon.
- Ultra Marathon: Any race that covers more than the standard 26.2 miles distance is called an Ultra Marathon. Runners train themselves according to the distance that has to be covered and the running terrain. Pennsylvania ultra marathons require intense training and motivation. While preparing for this event, train yourself to remain on your feet for a long amount of time instead of covering more distance.
Stage Races: This running event takes several days to finish and can have different formats. The participants of this event are usually experienced runners who’ve gone through proper training and running strategy.
Preparing for a half marathon is all about finding the right balance between a healthy commitment and diet. The idea is to prepare your body for the main event with weekly runs. It is important not to overdo it to avoid any serious injury that can keep you from participating in the event altogether.
You should start with 15 miles a week and then push it to 25 miles a week as you move closer to the event. A beginner should start training 2 months before the event. Being a beginner, you should start with an easy pace that allows you to breathe comfortably. While preparing for half marathons in PA, try to make these runs longer as you go so that you might not hurt yourself the very first day.
It is normal to get bored as you start making your running trips longer. You can avoid that by trying new routes or going for a run with a group of friends. Try not to rely on music as it might not be allowed during the marathon. You’re also not supposed to go for a run every day and can take a day off during the week.
The most common mistake that beginners make is to mess up their diet as they start preparing for the event. Going for longer runs does not mean that you’re allowed to eat whatever you want. You do not want to end up gaining weight before the event. The right approach is to find out your caloric intake and switching to a healthy diet. You can use a journal to keep track of the calories burnt and the food intake.
