How to Train for Your First Half Marathon (Without Feeling Overwhelmed) | SLAY Stronger Runner | Episode 1
SLAYShow Notes
You signed up for the half marathon…Now what? If you're feeling excited, nervous, intimidated—or wondering if 12 weeks is really enough time to prepare—you are not alone. In this first episode of our 14-week Stronger Runner Series on the Slay Podcast, Olympian Louise Hazel is taking you back to where every great race begins: the starting line. Whether you're running your very first half marathon or returning to racing after time away, this series is designed to coach you every step of the way. Each week, we'll break down exactly what to focus on, answer your biggest questions, and help you arrive at race day feeling stronger, healthier, and more confident than ever before.
This isn't just another running podcast. It's your weekly coaching session.
In this episode you'll learn: 🏃 Is 12 weeks enough to train for a half marathon? 🏃 Why you don't need to be "fit enough" before you start 🏃 The biggest mindset shift every new runner needs 🏃 How to stop comparing yourself to everyone else 🏃 Why consistency beats perfection every time 🏃 What Olympians understand about building confidence 🏃 The difference between motivation and commitment
You'll also hear Louise share one of the most defining moments of her Olympic journey and the lesson that carried her from heartbreak to becoming a Commonwealth Champion. If you've ever thought..."I'm not really a runner." This episode is for you.
This Week's Challenge: Forget pace. Forget distance. Forget perfection. Your only goal this week is simple: Show up. Because you don't become a runner when you cross the finish line. You become a runner the moment you decide not to turn back.
Join the Conversation👇 We'd love to hear from you in the comments. What made you sign up for your next race? Was it to challenge yourself? Start over? Honour someone? Improve your health? Or simply prove that you could? Your story might inspire someone else to take their first step.
Coming Next Week Episode 2: The Perfect Training Week We'll show you exactly how to structure your week like an athlete, including: ✔️ How many days you should run ✔️ What every type of run is actually for ✔️ What you should be doing in the gym ✔️ How to balance running, strength, recovery, and a busy life
If you've ever wondered whether you're training the right way, don't miss it. Subscribe for new episodes every week as we count down to race day.
Together, we're building stronger runners. Physically. Mentally. And emotionally.
Welcome to the Stronger Runner series on the Slay Podcast.
🎧 LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/35UovsfJZfat5xU6r6i55b?si=a54a6454c06445c4&nd=1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/slay/id1393889958Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX5I8e0HAZxB-SEvp4oLCCA📩
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This is it. Twelve weeks of training. Long runs. Strength sessions. Early mornings. Fuel. Recovery. Self-doubt. Progress. And now there is only one thing left to do: Race.
You're TWO WEEKS away from your half marathon. And suddenly you're questioning everything. Did I train enough? Was my longest run long enough? Why do my legs feel terrible? Should I run this week? Should I carb load? How many gels do I need? Can I walk? What if I can't sleep? What if everyone starts faster than me? And the biggest question of all... What if I can't finish?
You've spent weeks training for your half marathon. And now that race day is getting closer... Your training plan is telling you to do less.
You’ve been training for weeks. You’re running further. You’re lifting weights. You’re fueling properly. You’re recovering better. So why aren’t you getting faster every week? And if your pace hasn’t changed… is your training actually working? In Episode 10 of the SLAY Stronger Runner Series, Olympian, coach and SLAY founder Louise Hazel explains why pace is only one measure of running progress, and why you could be becoming a significantly better runner without seeing a dramatic change on your watch.
You’re training for 13.1 miles. But does that mean you actually need to run 13.1 miles before race day? And if you haven't… how can you possibly know you'll finish?