Your first half marathon
What changes when you train for 21.1 km, and what to expect on race day.
3 min read
The long run grows
Your long run slowly builds up, so 21.1 km doesn't come as a shock. Most of it is easy, sometimes with some race pace near the end.
Practise eating and drinking
On long runs over about 75 minutes, try what you'll use on race day: water, a sports drink or gels. Your stomach needs practice too.
The taper
In the last 1–2 weeks the distance comes down. You may feel restless – that's normal. You start fresher, not less fit.
Race day
Don't try anything new: same shoes, same breakfast. Start slower than your target for the first kilometres; it pays back in the second half.