13.1 miles, or as it's better known as, a half marathon, might seem like a heck of a lot of miles to run, especially at one time. To be sure, running 13.1 miles and training for a half is a big commitment you have to make, especially for a new runner. It is no small feat, and not for the faint of heart. However in my experience, I've found the benefits of training and running a half to far outweigh any cost I might have occurred.
If my knowledgable expertise still isn't enough to convince you to run a half marathon, I've also listed out 13.1 reasons why you should run 13.1 miles
1. Run more, stress less.
Running is a healthy way to reduce stress and channel any pent-up frustration you might have throughout your busy day. While running, you are also boosting your brain's serotonin levels, which makes you calmer and more relaxed.
2. Runner's high.
Your body produces natural opiates, called endorphins, that act a lot like their chemical counterpart, morphine, when running. Now, you can't get these endorphins just from an easy, quick run. Experts say endorphins are released when you've been running for about two hours, or about the amount it takes to run 13.1 miles.
3. Running buddies
Grab one of your friends and convince them to train with you. This will give y'all ample time to catch up over long runs, and check in with each other during maintenance runs (shorter runs during the week.) Plus, when you train with someone else, you're less likely to skip out on a run, knowing that someone else is keeping you accountable too.
4. It keeps you healthy
There are numerous health benefits associated with running. Some of them include: Strengthened immune system, stronger lungs, preventing high blood pressure, increased joint strength and bone density.
5. Sense of accomplishment
Just think of the sense of accomplishment you'll feel once you cross that finish line- to know that something you worked hard for and trained a long time finally paid off. Also, if you're training for your first half-marathon, then each new long run is just a bit farther than you went last week and the farthest you've ever ran at once in your life. Every time you finish a long run, it feels like a mini victory.
6. Bragging rights
Once you finish a half, you've now done something that few other people have done--you ran 13.1 miles all at one time. That, in itself, is worth bragging about and, if you're anything like me, you'll spend the next two to seven months figuring out ways to "casually" slip into conversation that you have, in fact, finished a half-marathon.
7. Time doesn't matter
Unlike a 5K or 10K, where once you tell people your time you can already start to see them calculating your average pace per mile, most people don't know how long a half-marathon is, and if they do they're so impressed that you ran one, they won't care about the time it took you to do so.
8. It's low maintenance
Unlike many other sports that require tons of equipment to even begin, all running requires is a good pair of shoes. Everyone knows how to run; there are no new skills or rules of the game to learn. Whether your form is perfect or not doesn't matter as much; you do know how to put one foot in front of the other and repeat.
9. The actual race day
The actual race day is a blur of making sure you didn't put your bib on upside down, double and triple checking that your shoes are tied tight, lining up on the starting line, a rush of adrenaline as the gun goes off and the actual race itself, full of people cheering you on and handing you a much needed cup of blue gatorade when you need it the most. It's a day full of pushing yourself mentally and physically, with a tangible finish line and shiny new medal at the end.
10. It will get you outside.
Since most of your runs will be outside, committing to a half-marathon also means committing to spend more time outside, something we all say we'd like to do, but rarely follow through with.
11. You'll meet new people.
I've met--or gotten to know better--some of my best friends by running with them. There's something about both of you trekking up a hill together, sweat dripping into your eyes, legs shaking, that binds you. These friends have seen you at your worst, I mean your absolute worst, and love you still. If that's not the very definition of a best friend, I don't know what is.
12. It forces you to unplug.
Running is a good time to put your phone down, and "go off the grid" for a while. It's almost physically impossible to to both run and text, check emails or do anything else on your phone.
13. It gives you space for yourself.
Running by yourself is a great time to reflect on your day if it's at night, or set goals for your day if you like to run in the morning. It gives you ample time to think through decisions, process things, or simply is a great way to carve out time to just be.
13.1 Because you can
Despite the fact that 13.1 is an intimidating number, it is something that you can do. You could even do this without training, although I wouldn't recommend it. You can make it through 13.1 miles, while there's many people who can't make it through even one step. Many half marathons support worthy causes, giving you a chance to not only complete 13.1 miles, but also a chance to give back.
