Every half marathoner has a race day goal, whether to finish with a new personal best or break through a last barrier. But what if you made a mistake? How can you avoid making mistakes so you can run on race day without fear? Here are the biggest half-marathon training mistakes marathoners should avoid.

Making mistakes is a part of our lives. They teach us new things and give us an unforgettable experience. However, some mistakes can cause severe injury while you run a half marathon. Be it your first half marathon or your 10th half marathon, here are some common mistakes you should avoid while running.

Overtraining is a common problem among half marathoners. It can lead to serious health issues, including decreased performance and increased injury risk. To avoid overtraining, marathoners must plan their half training carefully and keep track of their mileage, intensity, and rest days. They should also avoid skipping workouts or doing too much too soon, as this can harm their overall race preparation.

One of the biggest mistakes during a half marathon is not fuelling and hydrating properly before race day. Refuelling and hydrating help ease the pain and fatigue of running a half marathon. Half marathon runners need to drink plenty of water and sports drinks before race day and consume energy bars or other snacks during the race to stay energised.

Cross-training is one of the best ways to prevent overuse injuries and improve endurance, stamina, speed, agility, and balance. Besides, it can help you develop core strength and flexibility and improve speed, distance, and race times. By incorporating cross-training into your workouts, you will stay focused and sharp throughout your training, which will help you cross the finish line. If you are new to cross-training, seek a fitness professional or personal trainer for guidance on safely incorporating cross-training into your workouts. For example, without proper cross-training, you will not be able to complete a half marathon.

Warming up properly is crucial for half marathoners. Half marathoners should gradually increase their pace about 30 minutes before the race. They should also stretch and do light cardio to prepare their bodies for the race. If pain persists after warming up, half marathoners should consult a physician. Still, it is important to note that half-marathon runners can run with minimal or no pain if they have followed all the warm-up guidelines and are physically prepared for the race.

Running a half marathon can be quite challenging, especially if you are new to the sport. However, runners need to respect their bodies and not ignore any pain signals. If you experience pain while running, stop and rest as needed to allow your body to heal and recover. Do not try to run the race if you have injuries that prevent you from fully functioning. Instead, focus on finishing strong with a personal best time. Respecting your body will help you finish strong and reach your full potential as a half-marathon runner.

An important tip for half marathoners is to ensure a half-day of rest per week. Without long rest periods, half marathoners risk over training and becoming fatigued. Taking time off from training can help prevent this from happening. By taking care of themselves, half marathoners can improve their performance and enjoy the exciting race day of their half marathon without fear of injury.

Do not quit too soon when the going gets tough. You should never give up when things get harder, even if that means pushing yourself until you finish the line. If you can persevere through those tough moments, you will end up feeling much better about your achievement and capable of taking on any challenge that comes your way.

There you have it. These are a bunch of mistakes half marathoners should avoid. It is also important to listen to your body during half-marathon training. If you are feeling tired or sore, it may be time to take a rest day or adjust your half-marathon training plan accordingly. Additionally, half marathoners must wear the right gear when running a half marathon. Wearing the right shoes and clothing helps protect your body from running injuries. Remember, instead of setting an arbitrary finish time, focus on feeling healthy and happy on race day. Keep track of your pace and distance on race day so you can analyse your race and plan for your next half-marathon race with confidence and purpose. While there are no perfect race plans or training schedules, avoiding these seven tips can help half marathoners run their best on the race day performance!

The Pankh MP Half Marathon is an initiative of the Bansal News to support the persistence and commitment of the upcoming Sport Stars of Madhya Pradesh. There are three categories in the marathon:

MP Pankh Half Marathon will be concluded with Pankh Khel Protsahan Awards to reward young sports achievers. The event will commence on 26th February 2023 from the TT Nagar Stadium, Bhopal. If you are a fitness and running enthusiast, then come forward and join this thrilling event. So what are you waiting for? Register now and be a part of the Pankh MP Half-Marathon. Click here! https://mpmarathon.run/registration/marathon Contact - 942 582 7903, 7880094636, 8269199962 Website- mp.marathon.run Email - [email protected] Instagram - @mp.marathon Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pankhmarathon/