Half Marathon Training MUST HAVES

If you’re anything like me, you spend the majority of your day sitting at a desk behind a computer screen. This of course isn’t terrible when you have the freedom to roam around on the web and pin recipes and fashion. However eventually you may start to notice yourself falling out of shape or getting a little sluggish.

This is how I’ve been feeling lately. While I love my job at a marketing agency, it’s hard not to pack on a few pounds after sitting day in and day out. I used to play sports and have all kinds of time to go running and take kick-boxing classes. No longer having a reason to stay in shape, it’s really hard to give myself a reason to pound the pavement. If you have the same problem I do, I’ve devised a solution! I recently signed up for a half-marathon. That’s 13.1 miles. I’ve already begun a 12 week training plan and it’s encouraged me to stay on track and (hopefully) drop those few extra pounds.

The first thing you really must do to keep yourself motivated is ACTUALLY SIGN UP AND PAY FOR THE RACE. These races usually cost anywhere between $30 and $100 to enter. Dropping the cash is usually reason enough to keep up with your plan. You don’t want to waste your $100, right?

The second thing you need is a training plan. I found a free plan that allows you to choose between a 12 week, 16 week, or 20 week plan.

http://www.halfmarathons.net/training_tips_schedule_beginner_runners.html

Next, you need a playlist that will keep you going! Here a some songs that keep me pumped up for those long runs:

1. Titanium – David Guetta & Sia
2. We Run the Night – Havana Brown ft. Pitbull
3. White Nights – Oh Land
4. Young Blood – The Naked and Famous
5. Tonight is the Night – Outasight
6. Some Nights – Fun.
7. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
8. Give Your Heart A Break – Demi Lovato
9. Dust Bowl Dance – Mumford & Songs
10. I Forgive  You – Kelly Clarkson
11. Forever – Chris Brown
12. Stronger – Kelly Clarkson
13. Beggin’ – Madcon
14. We Are Young – Fun.
15. Like A Prayer – Madonna
16. Everybody Talks – Neon Trees

More to come!