Hi, this is Debbie Boyles, coach at Mojo for Running with podcast number 65, first-time half-marathoners.

Over the past year, I have, from time to time, shared with you the articles I've written for Florida Running and Triathlon magazine.

Today, I want to share an article I wrote for that magazine for the March-April issue titled

First Timers. Months of dedicated training lead to a half-marathon finish line. The half-marathon

distance has exploded in popularity in recent years. It used to be, back in the 80s, that most

races were actually 10Ks, and sometimes

there was also a 5K. But 10K was the popular distance. People looking for a greater challenge

had only one real option, and that was a marathon, as there were very few half marathons back then.

Fast forward to 2014, and half marathons are so ubiquitous that most people live within driving range of several half marathons each year.

Sitting at a traffic light, sometimes it seems every third car has a 13.1 sticker on the back window. In fact,

it's not uncommon for runners to start considering the possibility of a half marathon shortly

after finishing their first 5K. They usually concentrate on 5Ks for a while, maybe a year, but the

long-term goal is usually a half.

It requires lots of hard work.

But with six months of conscientious training, a half marathon is within reach of virtually

any runner.

Deanna Katz is one of the runners who reached for that goal.

Actually, until a few years ago,

she never even dreamed of doing a 5K,

telling her friends,

I don't run, I am not a runner.

But then, she started doing just a little running

...