After my first 5K, I was scrolling through Instagram (as one does after feeling like an Olympian for running three miles) and stumbled upon the Detroit Free Press International Half Marathon. The selling point? You literally cross the Canadian border.
Since I’m always about upping my parents, and they had to cross the Mexican border, I figured I could do better—I’d cross the Canada border… legally and in running shoes. (Don’t worry, Mom, it’s a joke.)
Training Plan
I followed the Nike Running App… loosely. Two or three runs a week, long runs on the weekend, and an attitude that screamed, “How hard could this be?” Turns out, very.
The biggest shock? That tunnel on the way back. Running into a humid, airless, slightly uphill international tunnel when you’ve skipped hill training is like realizing you didn’t study for a test… mid-test. My breathing went rogue.
If I Could Go Back, Here’s What I’d Tell Myself
It’s A Lot of Running
Duh, right? But no one warns you how it takes over your life. Long runs consume weekends, easy runs become non-negotiable, and suddenly, you’re planning your days around when you’ll run, what you’ll eat, and how soon you can nap.
Training Realities: It’s Harder (and More Rewarding) Than Expected
Some days, I felt like a future Olympian. Other days, I questioned every life choice that led me to sign up. But with each run—good or bad—I got stronger.
Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
• Overtraining – More miles don’t always mean better results. Turns out, running on fumes isn’t a training method.
• Ignoring Nutrition – Running without proper fuel is just suffering with extra steps.
• Skipping Rest Days – Thought they were for the weak. Turns out, they’re essential for survival.
Biggest Lessons I Learned
• Consistency > Perfection – Not every run is great, but showing up matters more than pace.
• Mindset is Everything – Your legs can only do so much; your brain has to take over.
• Embrace the Journey – The finish line is cool, but the real magic is in the training.
Takeaway
Half marathon training will push you, challenge you, and make you rethink your hobbies, but it’s worth every mile. If you’re thinking about taking on 13.1, do it. Just train for hills… and maybe avoid signing up on a whim.
One step at a time, one mile at a time—just keep going.
Join my Strava group to track miles, stay motivated, and suffer—I mean, train—together. Because running is more fun when you have people to complain about it with!
Enjoyed this post? Fuel my next long run with a $5 coffee!
