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Now that I decided to sign up for my first half marathon my dilemma is which one to choose! I am contemplating a more fluffy half marathon like a Diva or Disney type half marathon which focuses more on being fun, less stress regarding a specific time limit and just do my best. OR choosing a half marathon that is considered a more “legit” (for lack of a better description) one that I am not only proud to say I ran 13.1 miles, but I ran “The San Francisco Half Marathon!”
OK, so here are my reasons for each and I need some feedback from serious, experienced runners. I am not walking it, or settling for 16 minute miles.. I am taking this serious and plan to really train for it as such. But, I am not sure how realistic I am being. So here it goes…
If I choose the Diva Half Marathon in San Francisco its in June and gives me approximately 8 months to train. It’s less pressure to get it done within a certain amount of time, it’s flat as a pancake course, its fun, it gives blinged out medals, champagne and roses at the finish line, it’s mostly women so it could feel empowering and fun.
If I choose the San Francisco Half/Full Marathon it’s seen as a real, legitimate course and does have a time limit. I won’t get an official finisher medal if I don’t complete the first half marathon within 3 hours. If they don’t think you will finish within 3 hours you will be asked to move to the sidewalk and won’t be considered an official finisher! It takes place in July and gives me roughly 9 months to train. It crosses the Golden Gate Bridge in BOTH directions and how often does anyone get a chance to run in the street of the Golden Gate Bridge?! Right? So here is where I lean towards… my personality tends to want to take the more legitimate (I know its subjective, as well as I recognize running ANY distance is legitimate) but my psyche does make a differential between the two types. I tend to like the idea of having to train harder and the embarrassment of being asked to step to the sidewalk would mortify me. I can’t let that happen! I think if I am going to train that hard to finish a goal such as that it needs to be more of a substance win and not fluffy. I tend to be a bit on the overachiever side and like finishing things above the standard. But, running isn’t easy. I have to be committed and train my ass off. There are hills, it’s not flat.
I know finishing in under 3 hours isn’t an impossible feat. Many people do it. But, I am worried if its a bit unrealistic for me to do it. I would have to keep a 12 minute pace, which isn’t impossible, but I have to keep it for 13.1 miles. I can run that pace now, but the longest I have kept it up is 6 miles. I guess, if I run hills, and follow the a strict training plan and really want to pull this off I can. I am just having a little hesitancy as the fear of not finishing it in the allotted time would be like standing naked in front of a classroom or something. I would just die. Maybe, the fear of that is enough to motivate me!
Has anyone been at this stage in their running and questioned their ability? How did it turn out? I am kind of starting to cringe at the thought of my first half marathon being the pink feathered boa and tiara marathon. I probably already know my own answer, but would love to hear any feed back. If you haven’t followed the blog from the beginning, I have improved my 5K time easily by 4 minutes since my last 5k. I am improving with each month for sure. What do you runners think?
Runningcurves 
Hello! I just stumbled across your blog looking at other running/healthy living blogs. Ive been running since starting my weight loss journey in 2009 and have run 9 halfs and 7 fulls now. I have ALWAYS questioned my ability. Even now when Ive shown myself I can achieve tough goals Ive set for myself. There has only been one or two times that I did not hit the goals I wanted. I think we will always have some kinda of vulnerability when it comes to setting big scary goals!
I would say it depends on the type of race experience you want. My first half was the Royal Victoria Marathon (now named the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon..its in Canada :)) and I went in with the mindset that I just wanted to finish. No focus on timing, just focusing on the experience itself and how my body physically felt to push it to that distance and celebrating how far I came…LITERALLY! On the other hand, I do feel 9 months is a great enough time to make leaps and bounds in your training to make improvements as long as you have a good program to follow. But it depends on the experience you want to have! That’s just my two cents. 🙂
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Hi jonsee90!
I am so glad you stumbled upon me! You sound like you know exactly what I am going through. That is so encouraging to know you have run so many fulls/half’s and achieved your goals. I do think you’re right in the time element…9 months should be adequate. At least I am not expecting too much out of myself in a short amount of time.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to give me your feedback. You’re right, a hard goal is scary! It would be easier to not attempt it. I think I should probably take it and plow through that fear of failing.
I am going to go check out your blog right now! 🙂
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I’ve always liked the quote, if your dreams don’t scare you then you have the wrong dreams. 3 hours is plenty of time to finish a half. And you’ll have more time to train and you’ll train a little harder for it because of the time limit. You are good enough to do it under 3 hours. Don’t doubt, believe in yourself.
Or you could flip a coin on these two. When the coin is about to drop, your heart will know which one it wants to pick.
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Perfect advice! You’re right! And, I just got an email from a very good friend in North Carolina who has run her whole life. She offered to come out and run it with me. I think that is the one its meant to be. Loved feedback. Thanks a million!
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Hi!
I’ve run the San Francisco Half marathon 2 years in a row now and it’s such an amazing experience! My first half marathon was the SF Half in 2012 and I had all of the same fears as you regarding the 3 hour finish time and hills. It’s not an easy course, but the payoff is big-the scenery is beautiful and getting the run across the Golden Gate Bridge is an experience I will never forget! It’s hard work, but with 9 months of training I’m sure you will be more than ready! Good luck!!
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Thank you so much for your feedback! Yes, I think that’s why I picked it. I wanted a really rewarding experience and one I know I am going to have to work a little harder for than some of the other half’s I looked at. I love the Golden Gate Bridge it means home for me, so to be able to run it on my first half? Well, that will be emotional I am sure! I plan on really practicing hills, and running the bridge at least a few times before the marathon, as I read it has a slight incline you don’t see, but feel! Any other tips you have I would love to hear! 🙂 I am so pumped about this goal!
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Yes, it is so rewarding! The bridge IS surprisingly a slight hill, and just familiarizing yourself with the course before race day will probably just make you feel that much more comfortable! I actually reviewed the 2012 and 2013 races: http://wp.me/p3uexB-5K and http://wp.me/p3uexB-3I . The biggest tip I can offer is to not neglect hill training! I’m never a fan of running hills in training, but it will really benefit you with this race. Excited to read more about your training!
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