When I signed up for a community three-mile race 13 years ago, I didn’t think I could finish it. But I surprised myself, and not 10 minutes after crossing the finish line, I was planning my next race.

My jump to longer running events came when I watched the finish of the Chicago Marathon. I saw runners of all shapes and sizes—young and old, lean and not so lean. Some were in tears and some jumped for joy, but they had all given it a shot and reached the finish line. They inspired me. Soon, I found myself training for Chicago’s Lake County Races half marathon, which is 13.1 miles. I was hooked.

People all across the country are discovering the benefits of longer races, including improved self-esteem, incredible cardiovascular fitness, mental stamina, and, best of all, camaraderie. These days, races are about more than just running. Many include bands, cheerleaders, and other types of entertainment along the route, which turns a long race into a celebration.

Most beginners start by saying, “I’m not a runner.” But you can be if you try. You’ll discover that with proper training, the body and mind can take you anywhere—even to the finish line of a half marathon.

The Workout

This 12-week training program is geared toward people who have been running 30 minutes 3 times per week for 3 or 4 months. If you’re not there yet, increase slowly. Included are techniques on form and stride plus strength and stretch training to have you fully ready on race day.

Jenny Hadfield is coauthor of Marathoning for Mortals and a former head coach of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program. A Boston Marathon–qualified runner and three-time Eco-Challenge competitor, she has run more than 30 half marathons and cofounded Chicago Endurance Sports, a multisport training company.