Running a half marathon has been one of my biggest goals since I first started running, but it’s always felt like something I’d do in the distant future. So, when a colleague mentioned they were thinking of taking part in the Royal Parks Half earlier this year, it was with a sizeable surge of ‘Why not!’ energy that I decided to enter the ballot too.

As you’ve probably already gathered, I got in. At first, I was chuffed. I pictured myself running over the line, my family and friends cheering me on, beaming in the glory of my accomplishment. But it didn’t take long for the prospect of having to run 21.1k (13.1 miles) to hit me like a ton of bricks. As someone whose current longest run comes in at just over 11k, the chasm between what I could do and what I needed to do felt dauntingly huge. Before long, I started to question myself: was this even going to be possible? 

I’m yet to find out, but I am growing more confident by the day. Two weeks ago, I officially started following a training plan, and almost 30k later, the idea of getting out on the course in October feels slightly less scary. I’ve also learned a lot over the last 14 days, much of which I’m sure I’ll be keeping in mind throughout this process.

Some of the lessons have been pretty basic – drinking a huge mug of tea before heading out for a run will give you a sloshy stomach, for example. Others have been more widely life-affirming or relevant to running in general. So, whether you’re thinking of signing up for a half-marathon or just looking for a bit of relatable running advice, have a scroll down….  

After my first two runs, I started questioning whether I’d make it to the end of the week, let alone over the finish line. I’d only upped my average weekly distance a little but doing two runs – as well as a strength training session – left me feeling drained of all energy.

For a moment, I panicked: was I doing something horribly wrong when it came to recovery or nutrition? But here’s the thing – I just needed time. Now, in week three, my new exercise routine is leaving me a lot less drained, and my body is coping better with the additional demand I’m putting it under.

I’ve also started to recognise when I’m tired and need to rest, as opposed to feeling slightly lethargic and in need of a pick-me-up. That ability is helping me to ensure I’m balancing my training with adequate rest days and low-intensity exercise. 

They say comparison is the thief of all joy and using other people’s ‘slow’ running pace to judge my ‘slow’ running pace really stopped me from reaping any of the benefits that can come from taking things easy.

Previously, I’d been running about 10 seconds per kilometre slower than my average 5k pace. Those runs didn’t feel slow to me, but they looked incredibly slow when held up in comparison to my friend’s Strava posts, so I just assumed that was how I was supposed to feel. But the thing is, basing your pace on the paces of others makes literally no sense, because everyone is different.  

It was only when I started basing my ‘slow’ pace on my usual runs – rather than the runs of those around me – that I really started to reap the benefits. Now, I run my easy runs at about a minute per kilometre slower than my 5k race pace, and it makes such a difference.

At the end of the day, your ‘slow’ pace should be a pace at which you feel entirely comfortable – not the pace you think should be comfortable for you. If you can’t keep up a hearty conversation for the entire run, you’re going too fast.

The other day, I finished a 10k run feeling like I had loads more left in the tank – something I can genuinely say I’ve never experienced before – and that was all thanks to taking the run at my pace and ensuring I felt comfortable throughout. Incredible. 

I’ll keep this one short and sweet as I know it’s not exactly groundbreaking, but I think it’s an important one to remember when you’re having a hard day.

On the first week of my training, I felt less tired and more accomplished after my 8k paced run than I did after a 6k easy run. It might have been because I was tired from strength training or because I did the runs at different times of the day, but whatever the reason, I found that shorter run so much more difficult than the longer one – despite going at an ‘easier’ pace for the shorter one. Make it make sense! 

Images: Getty