College is a unique place where twenty thousand different people come together to create a blend of life. It can be hard to find a balance between school, work, internships, social life, and half marathon training. This blog is to provide clarity on how to do it all. I completed my first half marathon my sophomore year of college, and my second is within the next few weeks. I am proof you can make time to meet all your goals while still enjoying time as a university student.
Consistency Will Be Your Best Friend
Running 13.1 miles can be a daunting task. Breaking it down makes it easier to digest. Running anywhere between 2-4 miles consistently is what helped me stay in shape. Days where I didn’t run, I went to the rec and lifted weights. Remember every workout day won’t be the same. Sometimes running two miles will feel like the longest run of your life, and other days two miles will breeze by. Just keep showing up for yourself no matter the pace. Anything is better than nothing.
Routine, Routine, Routine
Class, homework, and work can catch up to you. Creating a routine that works for you can generate a sense of normality during the training. Another great way to make 13.1 seem less daunting is to weave it into your daily life. Make running your new normal. What helped me was setting my alarm for the same time every day despite what I had going on that day. It gave me a sense of stability and forced me to utilize the hours in my day to benefit me and my running schedule. For a more running-specific training plan, Runners World has plans for runners at every level.
Comparison Will Be Your Biggest Enemy
One of my biggest takeaways from completing the half marathon was that every body functions differently. Many of my friends also ran the half, and we all had our own training plans. Our distance, pace, and location of runs were all drastically different. There were moments when I was running less miles than them and would already feel defeated. In the end, our times staggered in five minute increments, and we all got to celebrate each other at the finish line. Just remember how personal running is, there is no point in comparing yourself to others. But running with a friend is always a treat.
There is time to do everything you want in college. As hard as training was, crossing the finish line in Hayward Field made it all worth it. Hugging your friends and family while taking pictures with your metal was such a rush of positive emotions. Just remember to stay consistent, stay in routine, and stay active.
Malia Rauh 
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