By Susan Shinn

For the Salisbury Post

Everything I need to know in life, I’ve learned from running a half marathon. Some observations from last Sunday’s race in Myrtle Beach.

1. Be prepared. I ran more than 500 miles to prepare for last Sunday’s half marathon. When the big day finally came, my friend Laura and I were ready.

2. Always carry toilet paper. This is somewhat related to the first tip. I used to make fun of David Freeze, my good friend-slash-running coach, for carrying toilet paper when he ran. Laura and I thought we were prepared for every contingency last weekend, except for the fact we didn’t get to use the porta-potties immediately before the race.

Somewhere around mile 3, I told her, “Laura, I’m headed for those bushes. I cannot concentrate on running unless I go tinkle.”

Let the record show I ran 13.33 miles. I attribute that longer distance to my potty break. I made up the time, however.

3. Be friendly. You never know who you will meet. After our run, we could not call out on Laura’s phone. A very nice man standing next to me, Danny from Raleigh, let me use his phone to call my mother. In a few minutes, I saw him talking to a beautiful young woman named Brooke. The petite brunette’s hair and makeup were perfect. Yeah, she’d run. Sigh.

I heard Danny say she was an East Rowan girl. What’s your last name, I asked. “Stoner” was her reply.

“Who are your parents?” I asked. Turns out her mother, Teresa Stoner, is director of St. John’s kindergarten. I work part-time at St. John’s, and assist Teresa with kindergarten publicity from time to time. Small world.

4. Be appreciative. As I almost got hit by a truck the week before a 15K race in September, I am extremely grateful for the law enforcement personnel who keep us safe during races, blocking streets and keeping traffic well away from runners. It won’t hurt your pace at all to yell out “Thank you!” as you pass.

5. Be aware. Laura and I could not have asked for a more perfect day to run. The sky was blue. The sun was shining. The breeze was cooling but not overwhelming. I am by no stretch an outdoor girl, but getting the opportunity to run through God’s creation is a wonderful thing. Yeah, you have to watch where you’re going and think about your breathing and try not to think about stopping to tinkle again. But you should also take the time to enjoy the world around you. That doesn’t hurt your pace, either.

6. Always drink lots of water. Could explain that whole tinkling situation. But trust me, you don’t want to get dehydrated in a situation like that, or any other time.

7. Wear sunscreen. During the race, I did not, mostly because it was dark when we started. But you should. Always.

8. Be helpful. Throughout the race, there were folks who handed us water and Gatorade. Give someone a hand whenever possible.

9. Be supportive. Half marathons are a lot like life. Not everybody can run or has the desire to run a race. My dad says, “Why would you want to do something like that?” My girlfriend Amanda Smith wants a car magnet that says “0.0” instead of “13.1” or, God forbid, “26.2.”

So if you don’t run, be a spectator. I can’t tell you how much it meant to see people on the streets cheering for us. Several groups appeared multiple times along the route. The Vac and Dash Road Trip team from Albemarle. The dad — clearly a runner himself — who appeared with his two sons along the route, the boys taking turns holding a sign that said, “Go Super Fast Mommy!” Laura and I loved that each time we saw it. Their white pickup was outfitted with camp chairs and a poster that read “Worst Parade Ever.” The lady who appeared seemingly at every mile, cheering on her runner. “This is my beach,” she told us. “I know all the shortcuts.” The group of women holding posters, which included, “Run Like There’s a Hot Guy in Front of You,” “Hurry Up, there’s beer!” and my favorite, “Your feet are hurting because ur kicking so much butt.”

Actually, that’s not exactly what the sign said. But that’s what it said in a picture online. But that’s not what it REALLY said.

I found myself running toward folks who were applauding and cheering. Children ran up to give us high fives. Around mile 11, there was a big man standing smack in the middle of the street — Laura said he was a firefighter — offering high fives to anyone who wanted one. I of course did.

Some folks even called us by name because our names were on our bibs. It could have been a little creepy, but it was really a folksy thing to do. And it gave the runners a good lift.

10. Be yourself. I figured Laura and I would be some of the larger people there. Turns out we weren’t the smallest, but we weren’t the largest, either. Runners come in all shapes and sizes. Not everybody who runs is a skinny minny. But you do run faster if you’re lighter. Laura and I committed to each lose 15 pounds before the Cooper River Bridge Run this spring. Of course, we made this promise over cheeseburgers. But still.

11. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There is no way I could have done this by myself. I owe completion of the race to a long list of people. My cheerleaders and supporters along the way have been David Freeze, Sara Noble-Phillips, Ester Marsh, Henry Goodnight, Jason Ritchie, Kelly Everhart and Franco Goodman, as well as many non-running friends. I couldn’t have made the miles I did without my running partner, Scott Jenkins. Last but not least is my biggest fan and running queen extraordinaire, my mom, Cora. If she is not at a race with me physically, she’s always with me in spirit. But it makes me so happy to see her waiting for me at the finish line. David tells me I’ll get one of his ulearn2run sweatshirts if I make 800 miles for the year. You better believe I’m doing that.

12. Be grateful. Be grateful for the fact you can run if you choose or walk or even just sit and read the newspaper. Lots of times when I’m running, I think about the folks who have gone before me, and who I know are cheering me on upstairs: Uncle Carlton, Uncle Mike, Steve and Billy Mack. Every day is a gift.

See you on the road.

Freelance writer Susan Shinn lives in Salisbury. At the moment, she can move all 10 fingers. That’s about it.