Half Marathon looming and I am having a mental meltdown

[RunningScaredStiff]

This weekend I will be doing my first half marathon. I have done a few 10K's, and a 10 miler (16K). I have trained for this. I am OK with the run. I've already run 21K a few times on my training program. I can manage it.

However, as the day nears (this weekend) I am finding that I am in all kinds of bother;

Sleepless nights, some anxiety, my mind going nuts (you can't do it, you are rubbish, you are going to drop out, everyone will think you are a loser if you drop out). I'm exhausted with the mental fight going on.

I think what triggered it was I went to watch a marathon last week and everyone looked so pumped up and either bombing through it, or looking in intense pain. I came away thinking "Oh f*ck"

I feel like the adrenaline has already kicked in and it is making me really fidgety and I cannot concentrate, and I am not having a good nights sleep thinking about it. I am also doing it with my friends and keep thinking Im going to bomb and let them and myself down.

I wish I could just do it right now and get it over with. I feel quite wired and could quite easily just run and burn it off now.

Usually I work out and run a lot and burn off any energy but I can't this week. I have a couple of low key runs, to save my legs.

I know it is really pathetic. It's just a half marathon and not a full one, or an amazing feat. I'm just crapping it though.

Any tips, words of wisdom etc.

I am like this before any race or event I do and I sometimes wonder why I put myself through it. I have a bad tummy on the morning every time. And still I go back! On the day you’ll be ok. You may not enjoy every moment, but at the end you’ll enjoy that you’ve done it. A marathon is a whole different ballgame so don’t compare!

It's that lack of sleep that is killing me. Last night I had to take some sleep aid, and I got a good nights sleep. I think the adrenaline is keeping me awake.

I really wish I could just get it over with now. I so want to do this, I've worked so hard, just now crapping it.

It is good to know it is normal.

I think nerves before a first race are normal - there's a lot you won't know at this point, from logistics to how you will feel etc. Personally I also would never race with a friend, it's too much pressure. Are you all in the same wave? If you are, just set out at the beginning that you're all going to do your own things once the race starts. Don't look out for each other, don't hold back or try to keep up. It's a very individual thing.

You need to find a way to block it all out over the next couple of days. Once you're running, all this will fall away (because frankly you'll just be trying to stay alive 😂).

This is the thing with running. It's as much a mental battle as a physical one. This is all part of it, for your personality type. Once you start the race, you'll be in another mental battle to make it through to the end. Do you have strategies, for coping mentally? Have you told yourself it's ok if you walk any uphill bits? Have you set yourself a target finish time? Have you worked out what music you're going to listen to in the last two miles? When you're going to take your caffeine gels? All the things.

Walk the race mentally today/tomorrow. Try to think through all the scenarios: when and where to pee, when and where to slow down, anticipate how each stage might feel etc. Basically, just be super prepared, leave nothing to chance. You won't need to do this after your first race because you will have learned SO much about it all. It's just that this is your first. Good luck!

It'll be fine. I've done half marathons and full marathons, and trained properly for both. A full marathon is still way more effort (i.e. even with all the appropriate training) and that's why it looked that way. You already know you can run half marathon distance and on the day with all the people around you it'll feel easier than it did when you were just training. It probably won't even feel longer than your 10 mile race you did. And you'll be fine going for some runs this week if you want to, just keep them nice and slow.

Paula Radcliffe has a podcast at the moment to help people prepare for the London Marathon. She has a great episode on the mentals where she interviews the guy who wrote The Monkey paradox. I highly recommend you listen to it. Mindset really is everything with these long distance runs.

I get like this too. Try and pretend it's just a normal run. Make sure you have a good playlist. I always feel inferior to other people looking at their equipment like those hydration packs and gels and fancy running kit. But I'm not. Also in the nicest possible way, no one give a shit, they are all too absorbed in their own stuff. Lots of people won't even remember to ask you how it went. I find it helps to focus on that and the fact that I've done the distance before. Also just keep it in the day, you aren't running today.

You’re not pathetic, it’s normal to be nervous for your first one. All you need to do is finish, and you’ve already done the distance, so you can do it. Don’t start off too fast, it’s really easy to get carried along with faster runners and burn out towards the end. But, If you need to walk for a bit, who cares! Just keep moving forward.

The race is your reward for all the hard work you’ve put in. Running over the finish line with people cheering you on is the best feeling.

Also, if you don’t finish it, it doesn’t matter, there’s always next time.

What's the worst thing that can happen?
You'd have to drop out before the end. Not the end of the world, and you'd have had a go. There'll be others.
I doubt this will happen (from what you've said about your running experience) but having that in your head as an option (and not a terrible disgrace) might help your mindset.
Having said that - go for it, and enjoy!
Good Luck.

you have (half) maranoia

Thx, you are all brilliant.

This. What is it you’re scared of? And honestly if this is something you do in your spare time for ‘fun’, I’d maybe consider picking something that’s not going to destroy your mental health!

If you feel like going for a run would make you feel better then do it! Its Wednesday and presuming your race is Sunday then it wont have an impact in what you can do on Sunday. Unless you are trying to break a record or come first that is?!

It’s fun training and I now love running, I’m just having pre race nerves.

I was going into the run with no strategy or race plan because my expectations were to finish it and then go from there. However, perhaps I should have a better plan.

On my long run I’ve built up to 2 hours 15 and covered the 21k in 2hours 16, then 2 hours 13, then on the last one 2 hours 10. This included a lot of long up hills, which won’t be on my race day. It’s flat except a couple of inclines. I’ve been told I should aim for 2 hours, but that seemed extra pressure on me. Now I’m thinking perhaps I should have some kind of race plan than; turn up, run, finish and be pleased with myself. 😂

Also, they are saying there’ll be no cups and fill your water at the stations. Should I take my own water bottles in my belt (I do this on my long runs) or stop and refill? That’s going to add on time!

I think you should aim to start at two hour pace (which is about 9 minute miles) and after 8 miles if you're feeling good you can gradually speed up.

Do you normally drink a lot of water while you're running? I don't, so probably wouldn't bother at all, but if you think you will want a drink then probably carry a water bottle but maybe don't fill it all the way up? It's unusual not to offer any cups at all - I used to run quite fast and would have wanted maybe a couple of swigs of water but I would NOT have been wanting to stop and fill up.

I was always terrified of being last and everyone laughing at me, then about 3 years ago I finished third from last in a local 10 mile trail run and guess what? No one laughed, the marshals were just as encouraging to me as everyone else and I got cheered over the finish line! It busted that fear for me.

Also, I know I did my best and that's all I can do. I can't control who else is running or their pace, all I can do is me. It sounds like you'll be fine, you've trained and you're ready. I get that feeling of wanting to get it over with though!

Oh, try and enjoy it as well!

I would take my own drink in my own bottles, saves faffing at an aid station

I’ve got a great running belt that has 2 small bottles. It’s all I’ve needed on my long runs. I’ve got some gels. I think they may have cups but they are trying to get us to be enviro friendly.

Do you normally use the gels/have you used them before? If not, then don't try them this weekend, just have a good breakfast as you already know you can run the distance.

Regroup.

You can finish it - you know that. Even if you walked.

There are thousands of opportunities to run half marathons. You do not need to stress about this one.

You must NOT go out to fast as that will make the rest harder. Plan for this one mile at a time and work out a nice slow pace (for you) for mile.one.

Stick at that pace - let the others go. If there's a pacemaker group at that time level, still with them for the first mile.

After mile one, the mass of speedies will have gone and the number.of runners alongside you will be more manageable and you will have settled down.

Then after mile.one you can decide what pace you want to do. Carry on as you are or not.

Always remember these races are only ever with yourself - there will always be faster. There will always be slower. You are mentally only there for yourself so, as far as.you can, enjoy the run.

Good luck!!

My very best half marathon was the Great North Run when I was well prepared but held back and had fun all the way around and managed ti actually run all.of it. Those I'd done before I went out far too fast and by 10 miles was hurting.

I worked myself up into a right state for a half a couple of weekends ago, stressing over how many layers to wear, what snacks to stuff into pockets, cap or no cap, what podcasts to download, where the water stops would be etc etc.

DH gently reminded me that, despite the fanfare, it’s just another run and for all my long training runs, I’d just left the house with phone and keys and just got on with it! Really helped me put it into perspective.

Good luck in your first half marathon. It’s just a run, it’s just a run, it’s just a run…..

I think of HMs as a 10 mile run and a parkrun. (20 miler and a 10k worked for my marathon too)

My first HM I was ill off work mid-week, in bed and spent the next few days fuelled on digestived. I still got through it in 2:32 despite toilet stops and having to walk much of the last few miles due to the strong cramping. Not ideal, but the elation that I saw it through was amazing.

Take your own water bottles, cups are a faff in a race.

Is it Bath Half?!

In which case see you there... I'm drastically undertrained due to work commitments and illness/injury! I've done 4 x 10/11 mile runs but it's way way less than I would usually do in training (have done marathons previously).

My plan is to go out and take a conservative pace on the first lap and speed up on the 2nd if I'm feeling good!