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You are here: Home / half marathons / 5 stages of running a half marathon

5 stages of running a half marathon

June 3, 2015 by MCM Mama 54 Comments

{I wrote this when I was nearing the end of 13 half marathons in 79 days and I realized I think the same things every.single.time. I was reminded of it yesterday during on National Running Day when I could barely resist some of the race deals that were out there. Enjoy!}

[Tweet “Crazy thoughts go through your head during a half marathon. Here r mine. Tell me yours!”]

Five Stages Half Marathon URL

Stage 1(weeks before the race)

I LOVE half marathons! I want to run as many as I can this year!
I’m going to sign up for every local race and a few more that aren’t local.

Screen Shot 2013-09-27 at 2.08.55 PM

Stage 2 (the night before the race right up until the start line)

Why the heck did I sign up for ANOTHER race?
I hate half marathons.  They are so long. I’m so tired. I can’t run THAT far.

photo 2

Stage 3 (first few miles)

Ok, just run easy. Don’t push yourself.
Take it one mile at a time. It’s ok if you walk later, just get through this mile.

Frederick-mile3

Stage 4 (midway through the race)

a)OMG, I love this.  I AM AWESOME!  I’m rocking this race.
I’m going to finish so strong! I love half marathons.

Frederick-half-12-mile

OR

b) OMG, this sucks.  What was I thinking? I’m tired. I don’t want to do this.
I’m never doing this again. Why did I think doing a lot of these was a good idea?

Zooma2

Stage 5 (right before the finish)

Woohoo! Almost done! I’m gonna chic that guy!  Yes! I beat him!

you-ve-been-chicd

When do I get to do this again????

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Comments

  1. Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says

    May 30, 2014 at 5:00 am

    This is so, so true! love it!
    Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted…High Five FridayMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:13 pm

      Thanks! Seems like everyone can relate LOL.

      Reply
  2. Pam says

    May 30, 2014 at 6:29 am

    Love this post! I’m running the Asheville Half Marathon next weekend and I will think of all these things next week!
    Pam recently posted…Friday Five: Things in my gym bagMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:13 pm

      Good luck at the marathon! Have fun!

      Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    May 30, 2014 at 6:46 am

    So awesome! Love this 🙂
    Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Things in My Gym BagMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:14 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  4. Susan says

    May 30, 2014 at 6:55 am

    I haven’t run a half, but this exactly how I feel with shorter races 🙂
    Susan recently posted…It takes a village to reach a goalMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:14 pm

      I don’t think the distance matters. I’ve thought many of these things at shorter races.

      Reply
  5. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    May 30, 2014 at 7:45 am

    Hahahah, love this. I especially like the photos in the last one!
    Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Friday Five: 5 Things in My Gym BagMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:15 pm

      It was so cool to see that the photographer had caught the progression…

      Reply
  6. Meranda@fairytalesandfitness says

    May 30, 2014 at 8:18 am

    Haha! Love this. How accurate, especially the “right before the race”.
    What a creative post!
    (visiting from Friday 5)
    Meranda@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Fit Runner in FlightMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:15 pm

      Thanks for stopping by. And it was just one of those posts that pretty much wrote itself.

      Reply
  7. Deborah Brooks says

    May 30, 2014 at 8:28 am

    So true! I think we all have those same thoughts. Looking forward to seeing you in Annapolis this weekend.
    Deborah Brooks recently posted…5 Essentials in My Gym BagMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:16 pm

      Yep. It was great to see you this past weekend!

      Reply
  8. Jillian says

    May 30, 2014 at 8:55 am

    So true! Nailed it!
    Jillian recently posted…New Food Friday- May 30, 2014My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:16 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  9. John @ run. geek. run(disney) says

    May 30, 2014 at 9:24 am

    Haha. Funny and true.
    John @ run. geek. run(disney) recently posted…Five Things in my Gymbag – Friday FiveMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:17 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  10. Aly says

    May 30, 2014 at 9:33 am

    So accurate! My stage 4 is usually at like mile 8! haha

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:17 pm

      I’m convinced any of the stages can happen at any time LOL.

      Reply
  11. Stimey says

    May 30, 2014 at 9:47 am

    This is cool. I wanna be you.

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:18 pm

      Ha! We are so similar – what with the crazy little boys and the insane animals…

      Reply
  12. Chaitali says

    May 30, 2014 at 10:32 am

    Ha ha, this was hilarious! And I didn’t realize that your were doing quite so many halls this year. That’s awesome!
    Chaitali recently posted…Running on vacationMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:19 pm

      Thanks and, yes, 13 done, two to go (that I’ve signed up for…)

      Reply
  13. Ashley says

    May 30, 2014 at 11:03 am

    LMAO! YES!! This goes for me for EVERY race.
    Ashley recently posted…Enjoying the stillness of negative space, and sewing room reno continuedMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:19 pm

      Me too! Doesn’t really matter what length…

      Reply
  14. Annmarie says

    May 30, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    I am signed up for my first half and while I am laughing now because this is great, I am sure I will really appreciate it later once I actually run it! Too funny!
    Annmarie recently posted…Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy BarsMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:19 pm

      You’ll have to come back and tell me if you thought the same things. ;o) Good luck with your first half!

      Reply
  15. Char says

    May 30, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Ha ha. This is me every time.
    Char recently posted…One Man’s Easy Is Another Woman’s TempoMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:20 pm

      I’m pretty sure it’s all of us…

      Reply
  16. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    May 30, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    So funny and so true!
    Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Friday Five: Run to Remember Race RecapMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:20 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  17. Kristen says

    May 30, 2014 at 11:16 pm

    Haha this is so true! As soon as I’m done I’ll sign up for another!
    Kristen recently posted…Friday Five: The Five Things In My Gym Bag!My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:21 pm

      I’m trying to not sign up for anything new. I think my husband is ready to have weekend mornings back for a while…

      Reply
  18. Mar @ Mar on the Run! says

    May 31, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    YES!!! all of this, so very true. And I love how you beat that guy at the end 😉 Great hanging with you this weekend!
    Mar @ Mar on the Run! recently posted…Friday Five: What’s In My Gym Bag?!My Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:21 pm

      It was awesome to meet you! And my goal at the end of every race is to beat a guy LOL.

      Reply
  19. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says

    May 31, 2014 at 6:10 pm

    Ha. Love this.

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:22 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  20. Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

    May 31, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    yes – every.single.time. LOVED hanging out this weekend. you are a rockstar, lady! can’t wait to do it again!
    Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Friday Five: Five Things in my Gym BagMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:22 pm

      Such an awesome weekend! Such amazing people! Hope to see you at a race again soon!

      Reply
  21. Cynthia @ You Signed Up For What?! says

    May 31, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    Yes – this is so funny because it’s true!
    Cynthia @ You Signed Up For What?! recently posted…Friday Five: What’s In My Gym Bag?My Profile

    Reply
  22. Momshomerun says

    June 1, 2014 at 5:42 am

    There are so many similarities between running and running a marathon! I really enjoyed reading about your stages.
    Momshomerun recently posted…Dilemma: to run or not to runMy Profile

    Reply
  23. Johann says

    June 2, 2014 at 7:40 am

    Nice, I like this! You are one of the queens of the half marathon.
    Johann recently posted…Time to catch up with where I amMy Profile

    Reply
  24. Lisa @ RunWiki says

    June 2, 2014 at 9:37 am

    LOL! Yes, you nailed it!
    Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted…What is a Tempo Run- a Guest Post by @tinamuirMy Profile

    Reply
    • MCM Mama says

      June 3, 2014 at 11:23 pm

      THanks! It just made me laugh when I realized I had the exact same thoughts every.single.race.

      Reply
  25. BreannaS says

    June 5, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    I love this post but now I am a little scared about my first half!

    Reply
  26. Amy says

    July 24, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    I LOVE this post! Spot on! I’m totally reposting this link on my blog so my readers can enjoy it too 🙂

    Reply
  27. Haley @ Running with Diapers says

    October 4, 2014 at 10:58 am

    I can honestly say that I love the half marathon. I think the only time I doubt my commitment to them is the morning of. My nerves and sleep deprivation always get the best of me.
    But I love your take on it. lol
    Haley @ Running with Diapers recently posted…Friday Five – Fitness Inspirations on InstagramMy Profile

    Reply
  28. Aimee says

    June 4, 2015 at 9:02 am

    THE TRUTH.

    Every race – not just 1/2. The fact that I was looking up other halfs to do and train better for IN THE CAR ON THE WAY HOME after my first half made me realize I’m insane.

    Reply
  29. Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    June 4, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    Yup completely true! What did you buy yesterday?
    Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Reston Sprint Tri Recap & What’s next?My Profile

    Reply
  30. Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee says

    June 4, 2015 at 1:53 pm

    I ran my first ever half marathon last month, on the 16th. This is SPOT ON. This is exactly how I was feeling and what I was thinking!
    Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee recently posted…Thinking Out Loud #13My Profile

    Reply
  31. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    June 4, 2015 at 9:07 pm

    So funny and so true!!

    Did you do any race shopping? 🙂
    Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…National Running Day 2015My Profile

    Reply
  32. Emily Peltier says

    June 4, 2015 at 9:39 pm

    Love it! I am signed up for a few half marathons this year with my first one of the season in two weeks. I am already thinking, ‘why did I do this?’ I think we get some sort of sick pleasure out of seeing how far we can push it. Runners are crazy.
    Emily Peltier recently posted…National Running Day: Get Out There and Run!My Profile

    Reply
  33. TriGirl says

    October 1, 2016 at 11:08 pm

    Haha! Yup, pretty much. I have one at the end of the month and am training for a PR–I’ll be so pissed if I have to walk!
    TriGirl recently posted…The Coolest Thing About RunningMy Profile

    Reply
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Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

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