The Final Countdown: Half Marathon Running Tips

The following is a post sponsored by Thomas’ Bagel Thins. For our sponsored post policy, click here.

*Cue the Europe rock song from Rocky please. Thanks.*

I am just three weeks away from running the More/Fitness Half Marathon in New York City, and I have been busy getting my long run on. So far, the longest I’ve logged has been a 7-miler on the tread. (We got some seriously wet weather early this month, making outdoor running miserable.) And my last short 3-mile run outside—which had some decent-sized hills—made me feel like I was running in water. Which leads me to three important running points:

Best Half Marathon Running Tips

1. Increase speed or distance, not both. This is a cardinal rule of running: You just can’t get speedy and get ready for the long race, too. Sure, you can do intervals when training for a half marathon or marathon, but don’t expect to really get that much faster if you’re not regularly running long distances. Sadly, this rule and my paranoia of being injured again has moved my goal to run a sub 7-minute mile farther out, but it’s what a girl’s gotta do! (And, in case you’re as obsessed with my mile time as I am, I did run a 7:28, breaking my initial goal to run faster than a 7:30 mile!)

2. Practice what you preach. We preach everything in moderation up in this mug and with good reason. It’s solid advice on how to live a balanced life! The first two weeks of training I thought I’d get in three runs a week, a workout or two at The Fit Pit, a couple yoga sessions and weight-lifting. But then I remembered I’m human. Unlike marathon training, where I’d try to run for at least an hour before taking a walk break during long runs, I’m now taking walk breaks whenever my body needs them. Begone rigid-training plans and hello listening-to-the-body!

3. Diet, diet, diet. A few pounds gained during training no longer get under my skin because I know what I’m working towards (fitness and health, not weight-loss), and I understand how important carbs are for fueling your body to run farther. Again, this is why I love my Thomas’ Bagel Thins. With 110 calories and fiber, they’re the perfect size for your pre- or post-workout snack when topped with a little almond butter and half a banana. Plus, they’re delicious. Lately I’ve been having quite the love affair with the Everything Bagel Thin variety.

For more on the marathon, delicious carbs and to see little ol’ me featured, be sure to “like” Thomas Bagel Thin’s Facebook page! —Jenn