WHAT TO DO 1 MONTH BEFORE A HALF MARATHON
Can you believe that the Manchester Half takes place in just one month’s time?
If you’re one of the many participants taking on the 13.1 miles with us for the first time, you may be wondering what to do between now and event day.
Luckily, we’ve put together 5 handy tips to get you to the start line in the best possible position while looking forward to the big day. Here are our best tips with 1 month to go!
1. GET READY FOR YOUR LONGEST RUN
Your longest run typically takes place 2-3 weeks before the event, so make sure to consult your training plan to see when yours will take place. Bear in mind that while a more experienced person may train over or up until the event distance, beginners may cap their longest run mileage sooner.
Tip: Avoid completing a very long run during event week; it’s better to enter the event slightly undertrained than on fatigued legs.
2. PRIORITISE YOUR HEALTH
The last thing you want is to get ill in the days or weeks before event day. It is important to look after yourself in this lead-up period; your body will be tired and need extra care, so the last thing you want is to pick up a bug!
From now until event day, focus on getting quality sleep, nourish your body with healthy, whole foods, keep hydrated and keep stress to a minimum.
3. PLAN YOUR EVENT WEEK
The 7 days before the event is a time to keep your training fresh, while offloading some miles and staying mentally strong before the big day.
Check your calendar – if you’ve got a lot going the week before the event, consider cutting back on some plans. Alternatively, you may wish to plan some relaxing and social activities to take your mind off pre-event nerves – a walk with a friend is always a good idea.
Finally, if you haven’t done so already, plan your travel to the event to avoid any last minute hiccups!
4. CONSIDER YOUR GOALS
This is a good moment to assess your training and set realistic goals for the event. Feeling extra strong? Try running at a slightly faster ‘race pace’ during part of your next session and see how it feels. You can adjust your target based on this.
If preparation hasn’t gone as smoothly as expected, it may be wise to revise your goals. Maybe it’s better to simply enjoy the experience and energy on the day rather than worry about a certain time.
Tip: Have an ideal ‘Plan A’ and back-up ‘Plan B’, and ‘Plan C’ for the day. This way, you’ll feel satisfied with whatever happens.
5. STAY IN THE LOOP
You’ve trained with focus and attention to detail, so apply the same care to pre-event communication. Stay informed about event pack delivery, course features, bag drop, and travel options to avoid last-minute stress on event day.
Keep an eye on your inbox and the event website for updates. Remember, you can find key information in our Participant Guide and on all of our social channels.
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Good luck to everyone taking on the 2024 Manchester Half! If you want to join our community then check out our Strava group here and wish your fellow runners Good Luck!