How To Prepare For a Half Marathon with Coach Duane Scotti
Do you have a half marathon coming up? Are you wondering how you should be prepared for a race? Are you feeling confident to perform at your best?
This episode is for you!!! This week we are talking all things Half Marathon Race prep. It is spring and it is 100% Half Marathon Season! It’s exciting to know that live races are coming back and we need to get our bodies and minds ready to get out there!
Click below to see the live video from our Healthy Runner Facebook Group…
Listen to the Podcast Episode during your next run!
In this episode, Coach Scotti discusses :
- How should I prepare for a half marathon the week before?
- What should I do the night before a half marathon?
- What should I do the morning of a half marathon?
Let’s talk about what you should do to prepare for your half marathon!!
How Should I Prepare For a Half Marathon the WEEK before?
You’re one week away from your half marathon and you’re thinking, “Am I doing everything right to be ready for next week?”
Let’s talk about what your runs will look like with one week until your race. You want to be consistent, but you want to be smart. Your longest run with one week to go should be about 6 to 8 miles. Remember, your body needs time to recovery, so banging out 12 or 13 miles the week before your half, won’t be setting you up for success for the actual race!
After your 6 to 8 mile long run, you can continue training throughout the week leading up to your half with smaller runs – around 30 to 60 minutes every other day.
For the last couple days leading up to the race, try to get off of your feet as much as possible. Don’t do anything too intensive or exhausting. You want your body to feel well rested and prepared to take on the course.
Filling your body with good nutrients starts the week before your race too! You want to make sure that you’re hydrating every day the week before the race! Be sure that you’re drink water and electrolyte beverages and avoiding anything too salty or too high in fiber.
You should be eating small meals every 2-3 hours, but after lunch, cut out red meat, fried foods, dairy products, fats, nuts, and roughage. You should only be consuming light, digestible foods like energy bars, bread, and small sandwiches!
How Should I Prepare For a Half Marathon the NIGHT before?
First and Foremost… Don’t do anything different!!!! You’ve been planning for this for a long time and training a certain way, with certain foods, and certain exercises and liquids. Don’t go changing anything up the night before! Keep consistent!
The meal for the night before the race should be something that works for you! In the podcast you’ll hear me talk about my experience with different foods and how some things that work for other runners, doesn’t necessarily work for me! For example, some people can eat pizza the night before their race and feel great the next day! Not so much for me! A filling, nutrient filled meal is important but make sure it’s something you can digest and not feel bloated from the next day! Continue drinking water and staying hydrated.
You should lay out your clothes the night before! Why be running around the next morning stressed about which socks you’re going to wear, and which shorts match best with the top you’ve decided on wearing? Lay everything out the night before and make sure you have everything you need ready to go! Headphones? Check. Hydration Belt? Check. Gels or chews? Check. Make sure you have everything you need so you’re not running around panicked the morning of!
Make sure you get a good nights sleep too!
How Should I Prepare For a Half Marathon the MORNING OF?
Be chill. Be calm. You’ve been training for this and you’re READY!
After you wake up, you want to make sure you’re drinking 4 to 6 ounces of water every half hour. Be done drinking your water at least half and hour before race time (for me I stop the hour before).
Make sure you get a good breakfast in at least 1.5 to 2 hours before the race. Nothing too heavy or that will cause you any GI issues.
You want to leave your home with enough time to get to the race that you’re calm and you have time to do a GOOD warm up! Your body needs to be primed and ready to go so that you aren’t jumping in cold. Sometimes you run late and have to race to starting line (listen to the podcast for that story of mine 😉
You want to start your warm up with 45 minutes until race time. Do a dynamic, full body warm up like our favorite SPARK 5 minute warm up which you can check out below…. Once you’re all warmed up and ready to go, relax, socialize with your running friends, get into your running mindset, line up to start and you’re off!
Our Team Healthy Runner Half Marathon Training Program will be the exclusive training partner for the Cheshire Half Marathon here in CT!
Run Plan
Training and run coaching simplified with a digital calendar on the FINAL SURGE platform. Take the guesswork out of how far and how often you need to run to hit YOUR half marathon goal.
Strength Plan
Get the workout plan, exercises, and structure to improve YOUR confidence and strength for running.
Community Support
Get the motivation, accountability, and trainings within our private community supported by our team of Healthy Runner coaches.
For those that are local an extra perk is we do group long runs together in Cheshire on the Farmington canal line. However, half of our runners are in other states and have successfully been crushing their training and running their own virtual or in person races in their states! Click the image below to learn about the program and join!!
If you are frustrated with your nagging aches and pains and have been told to stop running, we can help you!
Are you are ready to invest in becoming a lifelong injury free runner? If so, let’s chat to see if you are a good fit for our SPARK Back high touch point coaching program! Book your 30 min strategy call with me! Click here to book your call today!
You can listen to all the information in this episode on the Healthy Runner Podcast…available wherever you get your podcasts!
Here is what other runners are saying about the podcast
Thank you (running friends) for taking the time to read and I hope you enjoy the podcast episode!
Warmest regards,
– Duane
Duane Scotti, PT, PhD, DPT
Physical Therapist For Runners
Board Certified, OCS
(203) 376-6514
Struggling with Stubborn Running Injuries That Are Forcing You To Stop Running? If so let’s chat to see if you are a good fit for our SPARK Back high touch point coaching program!
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