If I think back to my first half marathon, honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t wear a GPS watch, my trainers were about 10 years old, and I had never even heard of an energy gel. All I knew was that the race was 13 miles - a distance that, at the time, felt completely impossible.
But guess what? I did it. And it wasn’t pretty. I couldn’t walk properly for about three days, I chafed everywhere, and, of course, I said “never again.” Yet, as you might expect, I didn’t stick to that declaration.
That first half marathon ended up being the event that really got me into running. It became the stepping stone to my first full marathon and ultimately led me to becoming a running coach. So yes, I owe it a lot! But while I completely winged my first half marathon, I now know it’s not the way I’d recommend anyone approach it.
Here are my top five tips for anyone taking on their first half marathon - or even for those who’ve run one before. Nailing these things will make a bigger difference than you might expect.
1. Focus on You
This is a big one. In today’s world of social media, it’s easy to compare yourself to others. But unless you’re a world-record-holding Olympic athlete, there will always be someone running further, faster, or more often than you. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re not doing enough.
But here’s the thing: your running journey is exactly that - yours. Whether you’re aiming to finish your first half marathon or chase a personal best, focus on your own progress and ignore what everyone else is doing.
2. Build Up Gradually
Let’s say your half marathon is 12 weeks away. It’s tempting to panic and try to do everything at once - hit your highest mileage, run your hardest runs, and feel ready for 13 miles immediately. But the truth is, you don’t need to be ready yet.
The early weeks are for building. Aim to get out 2–3 times a week, slowly increase the length of your long runs, and perhaps introduce some harder sessions. Pushing too hard too soon usually leads to burnout - or peaking too early. Slow and steady wins the race here.
3. Follow a Plan
Building on the last point, knowing where to start with training can be tricky. That’s why I always recommend following a structured half marathon plan.
A good plan takes all the guesswork out of training. It will gradually build your fitness, include your peak training weeks at the right time, and incorporate a taper period so you arrive at race day feeling ready - not exhausted.
One tool I recommend for this is Runna, a coaching app that creates personalised training plans and adapts them based on your progress. It’s like having a coach in your pocket, helping you stay on track, adjust your runs, and make sure you hit the right mileage at the right time.
4. Get Kitted Out
I survived my first half marathon in trainers that had as much support as flip-flops - but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Investing in the right kit can make a huge difference. And “right” doesn’t mean copying your favourite influencer - it means finding what works for you.
If you’re new to running, a gait analysis at a specialist running shop is worth it. They’ll assess your running form on a treadmill and suggest shoes suited to you. This reduces the risk of niggles and injuries, letting you focus on running rather than aches and pains.
5. Trust the Process
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Well, the same applies to half marathon training.
There will be days when running feels hard and days when it feels amazing. Some runs will leave you unmotivated, and others will make you impatient to get out the door. Training isn’t linear, and it isn’t always easy - otherwise, everyone would do it!
My biggest advice: trust the process and enjoy it. Celebrate the wins and the runs that feel effortless. Be proud when you look back at how far you’ve come. And if a run doesn’t go well? Have your moment, then move on to the next one.
You’re about to embark on an epic journey. Visualise that finish line, embrace the process, and I promise - it will be worth it.
Good luck!
Coach Jordan x
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