From “I could never” to completing my first Half Marathon: how I became a runner (and you can too)
I used to watch runners and think "Why do people do this to themselves?"—until one day, I became one of them. So here's everything I learned during this process.
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- I guess it feels like an addiction, right?
My dad was driving from a nearby town back to our hometown after we ran some errands. I don't remember if it was only me in the car with him or if my sister was there. We passed by a woman running by the road; that was my dad's comment when we saw her.
- Yeah, I guess… - I responded. I had the same impression. Why do people run?
Fast-forward to Sunday, March 16th, 2025. It was almost 12 p.m. when I crossed the finish line of the United Airlines NYC Half in Central Park. I had tears in my eyes. I couldn't believe it.
I had started in Prospect Park, crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, ran the FDR, then through 42nd St and the iconic Times Square to finish in Central Park. I had ran a distance of 13.1 miles or 21.1 kilometers, non-stopping (if you excuse the 15 second break to take off a little rock from my sneaker - although I had considered just leave it there).
My first experience with running was at school. I was a teenager and there was one P.E. teacher who decided to take his job seriously - so far, P.E. would mean just having a break from the class room and playing volleyball, handball or soccer. But this teacher tried to teach us how to run. And I was fast with short distances - 100 m.
Then, there was a competition between local schools, and with three other friends, I was competing in the 4x100m. We would score the silver medal - but when I finished passing the baton, I didn't pay attention, and I "invaded" the lane next to mine - colliding with a competitor from the other team, which led us to be disqualified. I know, it's fair - but the coach from the other girl's team was pointing her finger at me at the end of the race, which was not the best experience. I was devastated, and I never ran again. It probably wasn't because of the trauma but because of the lack of incentive and also because that teacher retired or went to work in another school.
So, how I went from someone who didn't run at all to someone that ran a half marathon (and is considering other races as well)?
Well, I want to share my journey, my experience, and tips with you - not because I'm an expert, but because I was inspired by real people - not experts - to start to run. Some people asked me questions after seeing my accomplishment last Sunday - so if my journey can inspire/help one person, it's worth it.
I know what you are thinking cause I used to think the same…
Every year since 2014, my husband and I have done the same thing every November: we hit the streets of the Big Apple to watch the over 50k runners that take the city during the famous NYC Marathon. I would argue it's the best day to be here: the energy is just immaculate - and I bet 90% of the spectators think the same: "I wish I could run a marathon."
Yeah, me too. But it's so scary, right? I mean… 26 miles or 42km. IT'S A LOT!
And then, in 2023, two friends of mine - Luiza and Alessandra - ran their first half marathons, both in Brooklyn (Alessandra later ran another half in Chicago and then the United in NYC). They were so excited; they were training a lot, and we went there to cheer them up and celebrate afterward. But something was bugging me, and I finally asked Ale:
- Did you run the entire time? You never stopped and walked?
- Yes, the entire time - she responded.
(And this is not a shade; there are people who walk during a race by choice or by circumstances, and that's totally okay!)
WOW. I was amazed. Running non-stop. Cool. Awesome.
How I started my running journey
As anything in life, things don't happen overnight. I had a friend who messaged me after Sunday saying that she could never run. "I'm not strong enough, I would be breathless". My answer: you start little by little. She certainly can't run a half marathon in three weeks, but it's about consistency. To use that famous quote: Running is a marathon, not a race.
Two years ago, I decided to look for gym studios - after years working out from home (we all know why!). And among all the classes I tried, I got obsessed with Orangetheory.
If you are not familiar, Orangetheory Fitness (OTF) is a high-intensity, heart rate-based interval training class combining treadmill, rowing, and strength exercises. Workouts are guided by a coach and use color-coded heart rate zones to optimize calorie burn and endurance. And it was during these classes that I started to run and improve my pace. But always on the treadmill.
My husband, who has been a casual runner, always insisted I should run, and my answer was always the same: Nah, I can't do it. But then, I guess because of my friends, and encouraged by the OTF classes, I took my chance and went to run outside. And, of course, I couldn't run long distances when I started, my speed was not that good, but… I liked it.
I still remember the feeling when I did the Central Park loop - 10k - for the first time last summer. I finally got why people loved run outside so much.
Fast forward to November 2024 and for the first time ever I had a friend - Raquel - to cheer up during the NYC Marathon. It was so amazing. I guess she was the kick I needed to finally sign up for a race.
During that week after the Marathon, I decided to check more info about the 2025 edition of the United Half. There was a lottery. Without thinking too much, I did it. I put my information, I included my credit card info, and I let the universe decide. Three weeks later, I got a notification from my bank app:
Your purchase from NYRR (New York Road Runners) was approved.
That was it. I was in. Part of me was freaking out. What did I sign up for? Then, I got used to the idea and started to plan.
Here are my running tips
Know yourself - when I posted on my IG that I was gonna run my first half marathon, a follower told me: I sign up for races so I hold myself accountable. Every person is different, so perhaps you don't need that - but during this journey, I discovered I function way better when I have a goal. Of course, you don't need to sign up for a half marathon right away. There are other distances. But I would say it's nice to have a plan. It can be either: I'm gonna run 2 miles every weekend or I'm gonna run 15 minutes at the gym twice a week. But I know myself and I know I wouldn't got to run in the cold unless I had to. And the race and the training plan switched my mindset to the “I have to” mode.
Keep it simple - there are endless possibilities when we talk about running gear - and I will share my favorites in a bit, but if you are getting started, keep it simple with proper running shoes (cause you don't want an injury!) and see how it goes. At the end of the day, not everyone will love to run and that's ok! Then, if you get addicted to it, lol, you can spend more money on it.
Be nice to yourself - during my training, I had good and bad days. There were days I was struggling, there were other days I was feeling amazing. A good or a bad day don't define your journey! You do your best with what you got that day and that's it. I think this is an important reminder - especially for women. We know how our periods can affect our body and our energy levels.
Have a plan - you can use free apps - like the Nike app - or you can hire a coach, lol. But I think it's good to have some structure to follow. For my training, I used the Runna app. After checking some other reviews and comments on Reddit and taking a look at the app, I decided to use it for my training, and I couldn't be happier with my half-marathon results. Runna is a running app designed to provide personalized training plans for runners of all levels, from beginners to marathoners. It uses your data—like current fitness levels, goals, and race dates—to create tailored training plans. Another cool feature is that Runna offers custom training plans – whether you want to hit your first 5k or run a Marathon, you can adjust it for distance goals, pace targets, and timelines. You can connect it to your Apple Watch (or other wearable devices) for real-time tracking. I'm truly obsessed with Runna and I can't recommend it enough! If you use my code LAURAP, you can try Runna for free for two weeks.
Nutrition is important - especially if you are training for long distances and running for a long amount of time! I see a dietician who created a plan for me, but remember you need to fuel your body to have energy to run. Two things that I used and repurchased a lot are LMNT Electrolytes, especially after my runs, and Honey Stinger Energy Gel. My friend gave me some samples, and I got obsessed. It tastes good and it's an easy and quick way to refuel during a long run. As I recently saw on a video on Youtube: you don't run to eat, you eat so you can run!
Engage - if you are on Reddit and if you live in New York City, I highly recommend joining RunNYC - this subreddit is a place for discussing and sharing about running in and around NYC with so many tips! I'm sure there are other subreddits for other parts of the world.
You can also look for running groups - look on Facebook, ask on social media, check Reddit - running is a cult, lol, I'm sure you will find something. By the way, if you live in NYC, this website lists a lot of running groups and their next meetings. Just make sure to double check the groups' official websites/social media.
For races - New York Road Runners is probably the most famous institution - they organize the Marathon and some half marathons. NY Runs also promotes races.
Last but not least - the internet is full of great and free content - the video below, for example, is really good!
Running gear
I have a detailed post on my blog on the running gear I used to train during the cold weather, but I'm reposting here!
Running Sunglasses – try running long distances with your fashionable sunglasses, and you will soon realize they don’t work. You need something lightweight. After some research, I got this pair from Tifosi. It offers 100% UVA/UVB protection, featuring a shatterproof polycarbonate lens that repels water, and it is super lightweight. Shop here!
Shoes – I think this is a very personal choice – but I’ve been wearing the Hoka Bondi 8 for a while, and I absolutely love it! This Hoka Bondi 8 features soft and light foams and an extended heel geometry. I must say it took me a while to get used to it – not because they were uncomfortable, it was just… different? Shop here! I also got a pair of carbon plated shoes from Nike and oh boy, they make you run so fast!
Gloves – I underestimated the need of gloves for running and I was kinda skeptical when my friend told me about it. I’m glad I’ve listened to her! These ones provide the right amount of protection, preventing your hands from freezing without overheating. Plus, they have a touch-screen feature, which is super useful when you need to use your phone. Shop here!
Headband – super useful as well, as it keeps your hair out of your face while it protects your ears from the cold. Mine is from Athleta, and I really like its size and comfort!
Socks – so, yeah, you need special socks when running long distances – I didn’t know about that until recently. These ones from Feetures have cushioning that protects the foot, with added impact protection. The most important thing is a tab for comfort blisters and protection from friction caused at the back of the shoe. Shop here!
Sports Bra – prioritize the ones that provide comfort and support, especially if you have big boobs. I like the ones from Under Armour.
Baselayer – you need one that keeps you warm and dry without being bulky or riding up. I love this one from Under Armour. It’s exactly what I need for the cold days! Shop here!
Windproof jacket – a light insulated jacket keeps you comfortable and warm on colder runs. Mine is from Arc’teryx – I got it years ago when I had no idea I would run one day lol, and I’m so happy I kept it cause it’s really perfect for running! Plus, the fabric has a treatment that repels water. The streamlined hood adds protection – and it features two zippered pockets. Shop here!
Compression Leggings – I got these from Nike, and I’m obsessed with it! Besides the fact that it features multiple pockets – including a zippered one – it also features a tight fit and firm support: it feels like locked-in support that keeps motion to a minimum, which is excellent for running – and I don’t feel cold. It is also high-waisted. Shop here! However, these heat-regulating leggings also look good!
Running belt - since I wasn't going to wear a jacket for my race, I got a running belt to make sure I would have space to carry everything I needed. This one is super comfy with a lot of space!
Shorts - you don't need to wear leggings forever - especially when the weather gets warm. I love this style of shorts - people say this one is a lululemon dupe. What I can say is that these are very comfy! And I have my eyes on this shorts from On - a friend of mine recommended because it features pockets.
If you are on a budget…
I know, I know. When we like something, of course we will be inclined to buy the best stuff. And yeah, a good gear makes a difference. But there are some hacks in case you don't want to break the bank:
Make sure to check marketplaces like Poshmark and Depop - I bought a long sleeve top from Nike there and I paid like 1/4 of the price. There are tons of new items (with tags!) with affordable prices. You can sign up for Poshmark with code LAURAPERUCHI and save $10 on your first order.
I also love thredUP! It’s an online consignment & thrift store that sells women’s and kids’ secondhand apparel – thredUP features around 55k brands, from Gap to Gucci, up to 90% off estimated retail price. It’s not a marketplace, which is an advantage: since they are in possession of all items and, because of that, every item they receive undergoes rigorous quality inspection before being listed. The items are sorted into the following conditions: excellent / very good / good. Get 40% off plus free shipping on your first order.
Stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls are also great spots to find running gear with great prices - in fact, the long sleeve top I used for my race was from TJ Maxx and I paid $16 (and it was a legging set!). They also have a lot of accessories - I even spotted a running belt another day - for a great price.
For running shoes, DSW usually has a good selection with more affordable prices. You can also take a look on Nordstrom Rack website. Unless it's a brand new item, I wouldn't recommend buying secondhand shoes, cause running shoes wear out overtime.
Why do people run?
Back to the question from the beginning of the post. I don't have a full answer. I guess people run for different reasons. I run to move my body, I run to prove myself I can do it, I run for the amazing feeling I have afterwards, I run to feel alive. I don't know for how long I will be running - but the Half Marathon is not gonna be my last race - I'm heading to Paris in June to run a 10k race (and I'm so excited about it!). And about the races: I totally recommend. The training sessions were cool but nothing explains the energy and the emotions I felt while running last Sunday. I saw someone on Reddit saying: a race is the celebration of your training efforts and I couldn't agree more!
I hope this post can inspire you to run - or to find an activity you can feel in love with. Stay tuned, I will be back with another post about exercising in general, to share my journey and tips.
I also hope you guys liked this post! I'm revamping my Substack - you can expect more detailed posts like this about my personal experiences and practical lifestyle content. Feel free to drop suggestions below!