Thinking about leveling up from a half marathon to a full marathon? First of all—that’s amazing! But before you hit that 26.2-mile goal, there’s a lot to consider, and I want to give you my honest take on making the transition.
I recently read this article: “Transitioning from Half to Full Marathon”, and it’s a GREAT read for anyone seriously considering taking the leap. But here’s my take—and remember, I’m just a one-time marathoner sharing my experience. This isn’t gospel, but it’s real talk.
Playing It Safe Isn’t a Bad Thing
I’ve been known to “play it safe” when it comes to running and training. And honestly, I cringe when I hear people talk about running a half or full marathon with little to no training. I’m a big believer that before you tackle a longer distance, you need to have some running experience under your belt.
I’m not saying you can’t do it. You totally can. But here’s the thing—experience teaches you how your body responds to different distances, paces, and fueling strategies. And that knowledge is pure gold when you’re running 26.2 miles.
Why Experience Matters
When I ran my first full marathon, I had already completed four half marathons. And let me tell you—each one taught me something new. I learned about pacing, hydration, nutrition, and most importantly, how my body handled long distances.
If I had jumped into a full marathon after just one half, I honestly don’t think I would have done nearly as well. Those half marathons helped me build the foundation I needed to go twice the distance without burning out.
When I look back at my very first half marathon, I realize I knew nothing about how to truly train or run at my best. I just ran it because it sounded fun—and while that’s totally valid, it wasn’t the smartest approach. Experience was what allowed me to level up safely.
Training Intentionally (Not Just to Finish)
For me, running isn’t just about crossing the finish line—it’s about longevity. I want to be able to run for years to come, and that means taking my training seriously.
Sure, life happens. I’ve had bad training cycles where I didn’t feel 100% prepared, but I never go into a race with a “just wing it” mentality. I’m intentional about my goals, and that’s how I protect myself from burnout or injury.
This is also why I started The Pace Life—to help runners like you get real, honest advice. Sometimes that means being the voice of reason when someone wants to skip proper training. It’s never about being negative; it’s about wanting to see people succeed long-term.
My Honest Advice for First-Time Marathoners:
- Run Multiple Half Marathons First: Don’t rush. Use half marathons to figure out your pacing, fueling, and mental game.
- Give Yourself Plenty of Training Time: A good marathon plan is usually 16-20 weeks long. Make sure you have the time and energy to commit.
- Respect the Distance: Running 26.2 miles is no joke. Even seasoned runners hit “the wall” if they don’t train properly.
- Listen to Your Body: If you feel pain or extreme fatigue during training, rest. Overtraining leads to injuries and setbacks.
- It’s Okay to Be Intentional: There’s nothing wrong with being the person who plans every run, focuses on recovery, and aims for longevity over speed.
Final Thoughts: You Can Do This—With the Right Prep
I support every single runner who dreams of running a marathon. It’s a huge accomplishment! But I also won’t sugarcoat the fact that it requires serious prep.
I have no doubt that if you can run a half marathon, you have the ability to run a full. But experience and proper training are the keys to making it not just possible, but enjoyable.
So, if you’re on the fence about going for that full, give the original article a read—it covers all the essentials. Then, take a breath, make a plan, and go for it the right way.
Because 26.2 miles? You deserve to feel strong and proud every single step of the way. 💪