Tag Archives: Half marathon

What it’s like to run a half marathon

The thought of running a marathon or even a half marathon is daunting for many. However, running your first half marathon or marathon is not impossible, and at the finish line, all the hard work you put in will be overwhelmingly rewarding. Inspired’s very own Charlie Bartlett, Fundraising Coordinator extraordinaire, recently took on her first half-marathon and surprisingly loved it. Who knew that was possible?! We spoke to Charlie to get the low-down on what it really takes to run a half marathon.

So Charlie, how long have you been running for?

Charlie: I have always been sporty and love my team sports but was not hugely into running. But after finishing university I found running to be very accessible and this is when I really picked it up.

Why did you start running?

Charlie: I feel so much better after I have been on a run. It is a great way to clear your mind and I normally go in my lunch break, so I come back feeling much more energized and ready for the second half of the day. It improves my mood and my health so it’s a win-win really!

“There’s no feeling quite like it!”

What made you decide to run a half marathon?

Charlie:
I was actually inspired by the people I work with as a Fundraising Coordinator at Inspired. I coach people who are taking on an adventure or a marathon to reach their fundraising and training goals.  I’m always encouraging them to push out of their comfort zone, really commit to their training and seeing what they achieve when they put their minds to it. This is what motivated me to take on a half marathon.

How did you train?

Charlie: To be honest, I did not have a specific training plan other than to go on runs as often as I could and for as long as I could. It would be about 8kms during the week, and longer runs around 14kms on the weekend. I feel like I got a pretty good finish time for my first attempt, but I would definitely like to focus on the training a little more for my next one! My marathon runners are all giving me tips already!

What’s the best thing to eat before and after a run?

Charlie: I had a piece of toast with peanut butter and banana with a coffee. Anything that will give you fuel and energy but won’t sit heavily in your stomach is good! I had to get up super early to eat though to make sure I had time to digest my breakfast, as I hate running on a full stomach. Once I finished, I drank a lot of water – hydration is really important!

How did you feel after completing your first half marathon?

Tired but completely amazing! There’s no feeling quite like it!

Any plans to tackle a full marathon?

Charlie: I am in awe of people who run full marathons. They’re so long! It’s definitely something I would love to work towards. I’d maybe like to run the Berlin Marathon, as it’s such an awesome city! Or the London Marathon, which is back in my homeland!

Feeling inspired?

  • Visit our marathon challenges here

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