Running My First Half Marathon

For most of my life, I—like over 80% of people around the world—couldn’t be categorized as a runner. I’d run sporadically, maybe one to three miles whenever I felt like I wasn’t exercising enough, but it was never something I enjoyed doing. To quote myself from January 2023,

“I’ve never seen the appeal of running long distances. Running has always felt like a monotonous, high impact sport...”

Though I didn’t like running for numerous reasons, I revered those who did do long-distance running. They were capable of pushing themselves to do something I felt I couldn’t. 

In November 2024, when I was still sticking to those short runs, a couple people from my weekly pickup ultimate group had signed up for the Avenue of the Giants Half Marathon, happening in May 2025. Word got around and more people started signing up. 

My boyfriend, Cam—who is the most avid runner I know and was most definitely interested in the race—looked at me with those hopeful eyes. Over the years, Cam has gently encouraged me to give running a real try. He’d go on slow runs with me and give me words of encouragement between my breathy remarks of how miserable I felt. He always told me how proud he was any time I voluntarily went on a run and has truly been so supportive. But he hadn’t succeeded in converting me. Maybe signing up for this half marathon with a group of friends will finally do the trick to get his non-runner girlfriend into running. 

Without giving it any thought, I responded, 

“Absolutely not. Me? Run 13.1 miles? Yeah right. Do you even know me?”

It was a no-brainer. Three miles already barely seemed manageable—13.1 miles was astronomical. Plus, why would I force myself to suffer for way longer when I don’t need or want to? Cam (bless his heart) didn’t push me about it after I crushed his dreams, and I carried on with my life.

But for the next two days, whether I was at work or at home, I kept hearing this nagging voice that wouldn’t go away:

“Sure running was never your thing but are you really incapable of running a half marathon? You’re telling me you’ll go to your grave before you run 13.1 miles?”

The thing is, I didn’t always hate running. As a kid, I loved playing tag during recess and lunch. I was fast, and I lived for the rush of adrenaline from tagging someone or barely dodging a tag. But when I started middle school, tag turned into the dreaded biannual mile test. The fun stopped and twice a year, for eight minutes, I pushed my body to the absolute max for the chance of getting a B+. I felt like I was fighting for my life every time I took that test and I didn’t get any kind of gratification out of it. Running became a form of torture to me, and as if I wrote my own doctor’s note, I declared any kind of long-distance running as “not my thing.” 

This doctor’s note followed me throughout high school and some of college. I avoided running like the plague. I wanted nothing to do with it. But when COVID-19 hit and I didn’t have access to my school’s gym or my yoga classes anymore, I finally dipped my toe back into running. This time, I ran on my terms. I’d run at a comfortable pace for, at most, one or two miles, and later, even three. And I called it quits whenever I wanted.

After college I started playing pick-up ultimate which helped bring back some of the fun with running. Over time, the sting of those middle school memories faded but my opposition toward long-distance running was still deeply embedded in me.

Now my inner voice has given me a rude awakening: 

“You have two choices. Either you beat the 13.1 miles or let the 13.1 miles beat you. What’s it going to be?” 

It was like a switch flipped in my brain and I realized I didn’t want to be someone who’s afraid of running a half marathon. My pride wouldn’t let it slide. I’ve always considered myself to be a relatively athletic person and if so many other people run half marathons, why couldn’t I? I had the time, a stable routine, and a healthy body to train. There was no better time or opportunity to prove to myself that I was capable of taking on this challenge.

Needless to say, when I told Cam about my revised decision, he was over the moon. We paid for our race entries and I suddenly felt like I was standing at the base of a towering mountain I had no clue how to climb. I just knew I wanted to put in the work and do it right. I was going to make long-distance running my bitch. My goal? Run the half marathon without stopping or walking, no matter how slow I needed to go. And I had Cam as my coach to help me do it. 

So my training began. 

4 Lessons I Learned While Training

1. Your 'Why' Is Important

When I realized I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it—that I could run a half marathon—I found my 'why.' No matter how tiring or long, completing each run and workout mattered. This emotional driver was what kept me going during every gasping breath, dog-tired step, and moment I wanted to stop. No one else, not even my loving and supportive boyfriend, could've given it to me.

I was astounded that my 'why,' though simple, could be so effective at keeping me motivated to do all of that training. Any version of me from over seven months ago would've looked at these graphs and thought I was possessed.

2. Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable

Early in my training, the biggest hump for me was getting used to discomfort. I was used to pushing through it during at-home workouts but not with running. On the runs that hurt—whether from my labored breathing or aching muscles—I had to become my own hard-ass. I’d say whatever I needed to say to myself to get through it like, 

“Don’t quit! You got this! Just a little more! This won’t kill you so finish it!” 

Deep down I knew that if I stopped prematurely, I’d only be cheating myself. So I conditioned myself to always stick it through the tough moments. 

3. You Are Stronger Than You Think You Are

My mental game got stronger and my weekly mileage grew. By March 2025, I was running four to five miles pretty comfortably, but had not gone beyond six. Out of nowhere, Cam suggested I do an out-and-back nine-mile run to a local hill I’d usually drive to then hike. 

My initial reaction to this suggestion was much like my reaction to getting invited to do the half marathon: 

“Hell no.” 

But then I realized, I eventually had to run nine miles anyway, so why not see what I could do now? What did I have to lose? I focused on pacing myself to preserve my energy. And shockingly—I finished the run without being totally gassed. Who knew you can casually tack on 50% more mileage, add in 1,000 ft of elevation gain, and not feel completely wiped. I could only attribute this triumph to my consistent training.

4. Find Your Balance Between Rest and Training

I stuck to my workouts about 70% of the time. I missed a few weeks due to vacation and another couple weeks from being sick. Other times when I altered the workouts were because I was either exceptionally tired for some reason or my cycle was affecting me.

The first time I missed an entire week of training, I was worried about falling behind. But I learned that the body is remarkable at bouncing back. Sometimes I felt like taking a whole week off gave my muscles ample time to rest up and I came back even stronger. The point is, missing some training didn't throw me off track and as long as I stayed consistent most of the time, it was okay to rest when needed.

I tried summing up my training experience into a few neatly packaged lessons but I'm going to be real, there was so much other random shit that happened during my training that really helped define the experience. So I'm just going to word vomit and tell you about it.

I've come home drenched, in soggy shoes, from running in the pouring rain quite a few times. I've come home wanting to peel my skin off from running in a heat wave. I've yelled at a few oblivious drivers that nearly ran me over. I rolled my right ankle twice on those spiky brown balls (called Sweet Gum Balls) but thankfully didn't get injured both times. I've let out some really disturbing sounds trying to finish some hard runs. My one poop a day turned into two, three, and even four a day. I tripped on uneven pavement and ate shit in front of a bunch of high schoolers less than a quarter mile from my house. And I once had to hold in my pee for five miles before I got to a restroom.

These weren't my most glamorous moments but they helped build character and keep me humble. And hey, at least I didn't get any crazy blisters or lose a toe nail. I've seen one too many of Cam's toenail less toes and don't have any desire to be that hardcore.

Race Day

By the time race day came, I wasn’t very nervous. I knew I could talk myself through any discomfort, my body was ready to handle the 13.1 miles, and I had enough rest and fuel. All I needed to do was take it slow like I’ve been doing and enjoy the run. 

Here’s a breakdown of my half marathon:

When I crossed the finish line, I half expected to have some kind of emotional release, like breaking down into happy tears. I mean, I’ve been avoiding long distance running for most of my life and finally tackled it with all my might. I put in so much time and energy into my training. Shouldn’t I feel something? 

Honestly finishing the race felt like finishing any other training run and I guess that’s a good thing. It goes to show that I’d worked so hard that this half marathon no longer felt like the mountain it used to feel to me. If that isn’t telling of how far I’ve come, I don’t know what would. And this all happened just because I realized that I didn’t want to let some past bad experience define what I can and can’t do.

Besides obviously being proud of myself, I am more so grateful for Cam. He was my biggest cheerleader and celebrated every small win I had whether it was running a new record distance or just feeling good on a routine run. He was my support team through all of this and a huge part of my success. Thank you Cam! 

After all these months of training, my relationship with running has definitely changed. I’m not scared of long-distance running anymore. In fact, running has become a source of empowerment for me. I questioned my running abilities and ended up surprising myself enough times that I now often end my runs feeling like a badass. Every run has been a reminder that I'm capable of doing hard things and of what I've accomplished. That's a feeling I want to hold on to—my new 'why.'

So in an effort to keep it up, I signed up for another half marathon happening in November 2025! My only goal for this one is to just finish faster than my first. 

This has been one heck of a journey and I hope to keep challenging myself like this in different areas in my life. I can do hard things and you can do hard things! #mid-20stoendurancesportpipeline