Walking First Half-Marathon - Any Advice?

[TrickyMama]

I'm walking my first half marathon in a few months. I'm in good shape - I can currently walk 6 miles in 90 minutes and I crosstrain - zumba, bodypump and yoga. I was just wondering if anyone has experience with this and has any advice on supplements, training or anything else I might not think of? I'm 38, I have a small frame and I'm not trying to gain or lose weight. Well, a couple of pounds wouldn't hurt anything.... The climate will be starting the race in the 40s, ending around 60 degrees. There is a 4-hour time limit.

[dilettantesteph]

I just did my first mini triathlon this past summer. They handed out wet sponges at some point and I almost didn't take one. I'm so glad that I did. It was very refreshing. Be sure to take it. It took about 2.5 hours and all I had was water (about 16 oz) and a few banana chips and I was fine with that. Good luck.

[sb2178]

I'd be sure to do some interval training (alternating medium brisk and quite fast walking to jogging). If it's a hilly course, make sure you're marching up hills regularly. [And that nursrey rhyme about the Duke of York just popped into my head.]

General old standby race advice:

-practice with your food (less important with a half, but a snack/drinks with calories is helpful-- i think I typically consume around 150 cal during the race)

-wear your clothes plenty of times beforehand to make sure you don't have any chaffing/blisters/irritating bits (bodyglide works wonders under sports bra bands if that's ever an issue)

-gradually add distance to your long walks but back off for about one to two weeks beforehand

-go out on the course beforehand to note landmarks if you can

-have fun!!

Frozen peas make great ice pack for sore muscles. It's also okay to stop if you have to either before or during the race. I quit one half because I had a painful knee and was either going to finish and have to take a month off or stop and be able to run again in two days. Walkers don't tend to be so masochistic or carried away, but I volunteered at the Boston Marathon this year and there was one point in the finish line corrals where I was fetching med staff and wheelchairs one after another.

I really enjoy half marathons. Would do one again this fall, but my stamina's not quite ready for the training. I run, so no helpful advice on clothes beyond wicking base layer and don't overdress (or bribe someone to be ready to take your jacket etc around mile two or three after you're warm). Tell us how it goes!