Training for a Half Marathon

I started training for Malibu Moves - a half marathon in October that will support victims of the January wildfires. I haven’t run anything above 6 miles in over a year when I ran the Rose Bowl half marathon. I’ve been pretty consistent with my running, and can easily run 6 miles without stopping. However, this past weekend I’ve begun to up my mileage. I ran 7 miles yesterday, and am planning on running 7 miles next weekend. I like to increase my mileage slowly, and run that same mileage twice so that I get comfortable with it.

I’m running another half marathon for a couple of reasons:

• To prove to myself that I can run 13.1 miles.

• Push myself to my limits.

• Build endurance.

• Get outside more often, and explore different neighborhoods in Los Angeles.

Before the pandemic, I would never have thought about running a half marathon. I hadn’t run for fitness since college, and absolutely preferred gym classes. Now I’ve completed one half marathon and a handful of 5K and 10Ks. It’s incredibly rewarding to finish a race, because I put in a lot of hours training. It’s exhilarating crossing that finish line, and receiving your running medal.

On the other side, the training is grueling. Each week, the mileage increases in preparation for the race. This time around, I’ll be in Europe at the end of summer, so I’ll be completing miles abroad. This week, I’m planning on completing 16 miles.

• Tuesday: 4 miles

• Thursday: 5 miles

• Sunday: 7 miles

The risk and reward of a half marathon make every hour and mile worth it. I’m so incredibly proud of myself whenever I conquer a new challenge.