Half Marathon - (First Experience) Shanghai Maqiao Half Marathon

Preface

• Why did I sign up for this race?

I’d been running off and on for four months and just wanted to experience the vibe of a real race.

• Why choose the Maqiao Half Marathon as my first?

1. No lottery system — you sign up, you’re in.
2. Super close to where I live — just about a 10-minute drive.

• How did I feel before the race?

Pretty excited, honestly. I’d never joined a race before, so I was looking forward to it.

Pre-race Prep

• Registration process & race pack contents

I registered through a WeChat mini-program called “RunSaimeijia.” Thought it was as simple as paying the fee, but there were a few requirements:

1. Age between 16 and 65
2. A full medical check-up within the past year (must include ECG, cardiopulmonary function, and blood pressure) OR at least one of the following:

（1）A half marathon finish record within the past 3 years

（2）A trail race finish record of 10K or longer

（3）A valid fitness instructor/trainer certificate (e.g., CrossFit L1, NSCA-CPT)

Luckily, I get an annual physical, so I just uploaded last year’s report. Got a confirmation text not long after.

• A quick look back at my “training plan”

Honestly? I didn’t follow any structured training plan. Just went for a few more 5–10K runs in the two weeks leading up to the race.

One slight misstep: I didn’t run at all for three days before race day — felt like it impacted my aerobic capacity a bit.

• Gear prep (shoes, outfit, nutrition)

Shoes: I stuck with my usual pair — the Saucony Triumph 20. I had actually bought a pair of Bmai Expedition 6.0s, but after just 3K, my feet were screaming. Returned them.

Outfit: Naidao compression tights and a basic short-sleeve shirt from Bmai — got it off Vipshop for under ¥40. Great value, highly recommend.

Nutrition: 4 energy gels + 2 packs of salt tablets, all from Combit.

• Food & sleep adjustments

Sleep was rough. Woke up several times throughout the night. Checked my Garmin the next morning — turns out I only got around 3 hours of sleep total.

Race Day

• Getting ready (waking up, commute, warm-up)

The race started at 8 AM, so I had plenty of time. Got up at 6, freshened up, had breakfast, grabbed the bag I’d packed the night before, and we hit the road. It only took us about 20 minutes to get there — arrived at the venue by 7:15.

• Race-day vibes

There were a lot of people — I think around 4,500 runners in total, including both the half marathon and the shorter health run.

We found a spot on the grass and started warming up.

I was pretty far back in the starting corral, and by the time I actually crossed the start line, the gun had already gone off 2–3 minutes earlier.

• Course Conditions (Route, Aid Stations, Scenery)

The course had quite a few out-and-backs — looked kind of like a giant game of Snake.

There were water stations every 5 kilometers, offering Gatorade as the sports drink. Starting at 7.5K, they also had cooling sponges (soaked in water, to help you cool down) every 5K.

As for aid stations:

• Located at 5K, 10K, 15K, and 17.5K
• The ones at 5, 10, and 15K had bananas
• The 17.5K station had both bananas and energy gels

• How My Body Felt & Pacing During the Race

After the race, I checked my stats on Garmin — turns out my average heart rate was 189 bpm! But honestly, it didn’t feel that tough during the run. I even stopped a few times to snap some photos.

• Problems During the Race & How I Dealt With Them

This race went surprisingly smoothly — no real issues at all. But I was genuinely curious: how do people manage to eat bananas while running? I took one tiny bite and nearly choked 😂

Post-Race Feelings

• Crossing the Finish Line

Let’s gooo! The last 2 kilometers felt endless, but the moment I saw that finish arch, it was like my whole body got recharged. I even pulled out my phone and started recording as I ran through it!

• Race Stats (Time, Pace, Heart Rate, etc.)

• Medal & On-Site Services

Right after crossing the finish arch, volunteers guided us to pick up our medal and finisher’s kit. There were lots of fun booths and activities around, but the lines were crazy long, so I skipped the crowd — all I could think about was getting home, taking a shower, and crashing on the couch.

On the way back, I ran into the 2:30 pacer guy. We snapped a photo together!

Finisher Certificate

Reflection & Takeaways

• What Went Well

1. Kept My Mental Game Strong The most important thing was maintaining a strong mindset. I always believed I could finish. Even though there were moments when I felt like walking, I pushed through and ran the whole way. It was definitely a mental breakthrough for me.

2. Pacing Was Reasonable I didn’t rush too fast in the first half. I kept a comfortable pace that allowed me to save some energy for the second half.

• Areas for Improvement

1. Lack of Sleep Before the Race

According to my Garmin sleep data, I only had 2 hours and 37 minutes of deep sleep — basically the “all-nighter” kind of situation. Next time, I’ll start adjusting my schedule two days before the race to avoid last-minute anxiety leading to insomnia.

2. Insufficient Stretching

I had planned to join the organizer’s stretching session to warm up, but there were so many people at the venue that I couldn’t see the movements clearly. I ended up doing a few stretches by myself for less than 5 minutes. That wasn’t enough. Next time, I’ll find a quiet spot ahead of time and do a full warm-up and stretching routine.

3. Timing of Pre-Race Meal

I ate breakfast too close to race time, which made me feel a bit uncomfortable during the run. Next time, I’ll aim to finish my breakfast 1.5 to 2 hours before the race to keep my stomach light.

• Advice for First-Time Runners

1. If it’s your first time running a half marathon, aim to keep your monthly mileage above 50 km. Long-distance endurance requires consistent training. If you haven’t trained enough, you’ll end up walking in the second half, and that takes away from the fun of running.

2. Make sure you’re prepared with energy gels, salt tablets, etc. My strategy was to take one salt tablet before the race and energy gels at the 8 km and 15 km marks. Nutrition isn’t just about energy; it also helps prevent cramps and low blood sugar.

3. Test your gear beforehand — shoes, watch, etc. I suggest wearing them during training so you’re used to them and don’t try anything new on race day.

Conclusion

• What Did This Half Marathon Change?

This race was like a mini-test for my body and willpower. It wasn’t perfect, but I finished it. The biggest takeaway is the confidence in “getting things done” and a deeper understanding of the importance of daily consistency.

• Expectations for the Next Race

I hope to feel better and maintain a more relaxed, easier pace. My goal is to keep a steady pace, improve my running form, and enjoy the process — not just finish, but finish well.

• A Message for My Future Self

You’re stronger than you think. Don’t forget the moment you pushed through to finish today. Keep training, and you’ll only get better.