Today was my half marathon. I did the same one last year. The Hackney Half. It is such good fun the atmosphere is amazing.
It was hot today. We were kept in our pens for 35 mins before the start and as I looked around I could tell some were already starting to burn.
When we set off I learned from last year to slow myself down a bit. I knew I wasn't going to break any of my records today.
By around 5-7 km people were having trouble. The police, ambulance and Red Cross were full ever time I passed them. I made a decision at 10km to slow down some more. I love running but I didn't want to do anything to put myself in danger so I started speed walking. I do a lot of training with speed walking so my muscles were adapted to the change.
Every time I was considering speeding up I passed another station with passed out runners on oxygen. And that made me keep my decision firm. Our event had implemented a flag system at the water stations and eventually the red flags were put up. These were advising us to walk. I never felt thirsty as there were extra water stations and 5 lucozade sport drink stops. I had 2.5 bottles sport drink and a lot of water. The advice was to drink to thirst, which I did.
At around 19 km I came across a poor girl passed out so I stayed with her untill help arrived. They were soon there and giving her the help she needed.
I came in in 3:18:15. Ten minutes slower that last year. I am so happy with that time. I have a couple of blisters I'm tired but I'm ok.
If you read this and think scary, to be honest it wasn't for me as far as my run was concerned, I trained and I know my limits. It wasn't nice seeing so many people in distress. If you want to take anything from it, take that it's a wonderful caring community. As well as myself I saw loads of people stop their runs to help others. We chatted, laughed, high fived the kids and thumbs up for the marshals. The last runner came in at 4.10 and we all cheered her through the finish line. It was actually a great day that searing heat and Sahara dust storm couldn't dampen.
The picture is me after the event with my medal.
Written by
Realfoodieclub
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Phew! Well done RFC, see my post re the Cambridge run, we were in our pens for at least 30 minutes, just getting hotter and hotter, but touch wood, I think everyone was ok, how those ultra marathoners do it is beyond me!
Great run RFC, well done! Ooh, it all sounded a bit distressing but as you say it's great that so many were happy to help. Hope you're having a well deserved sit down!
Congratulations on a race well run, RFC. Thank goodness you know your body well enough to keep yourself safe in such tough conditions.
It's a great photo. You can be justifiably proud of yourself and what you achieved today Hope all the people in distress were OK after some rehydration
thank you. Did they enjoy it? the atmosphere is amazing in Hackney I love it. If I knew how my year was panning out I would put in again for next year, its by far my favourite event ever.
Well done RFC!😀 So glad you managed to survive the heat - must have been a bit unsettling with all those folks dropping like flies. Hope everyone is ok.
thank you. I really believe no one on this forum would do anything else, same goes for most runners. Unfortunately listening to the chat at the back in my pen not everyone there was a runner, they were just running. some sign up and don't do the work, which is a shame.
I thought exactly the same at my event yesterday, I was very scared of the heat, I've never run in that kind of temperature, or in the middle of the day, but I carried water (which I don't normally do) and took advantage of every water/food station. I did worry that some would try and have a go with very little prep, I didn't hear of anyone actually suffering too badly and as soon as anyone felt the effects of the heat the other runners rallied round them - which as you say anyone on this forum would do, it's a great community the running community.
Thank you. Blisters (not popped)) are wrapped in savlon and a plaster as per Pharmacist instructions, Hopefully I will be doing a little 3km by the end of the week. Plus lots of stretching.
Wow. That's amazing to go such a long distance in that heat, it would be very easy to overdo it. Sounds like you know your body very well. Great photo, great race. I love that you have the option to speed-walk. We have a few here and they are very impressive - I would find it tougher than running. When I walk, I plod.
Thank you. Speed walking gives me the option to slow my heart rate down a bit during a run as it comes down by about 20 to 30 beats but the time difference between speed walking and running is only 30-40 seconds a km less, so it really works for me. I'm never going to be a speedy runner.
Congratulations - thought of you in the heat. It isn't very nice seeing other runners in trouble. Sounds like they - and you - were well organised tho'. I hope you make a good recovery.
Thank you. Vitailty organise a good event. I wondered why they told us of a flag system before the event but it all made sense on the day. not as bad this year the day after as last year so that has to be a good thing.
Thank you. Us runners are a good bunch, as I was coming in there were loads of other runners leaving they had been finished for probably over an hour but as they were walking past and I was coming in they were cheering me on and I just knew they were rooting for me to finish.
Well done on finishing it RFC. I was there supporting my daughter who ran it, and the heat was brutal. I felt like I had sunstroke by the end, from shuttling around to see her at mile 1, mile 5, mile 9 and the finish, and cannot imagine what running it must have been like. I also saw a few people stretchered off. Hope you recover well, it looked like a great event.
Thank you. I'm not surprised, I thought it might be cooler for me because sometimes when we went between the buildings or under a bridge there was a little respite and also towards the end there were about 4 or 5 shower mists which were lovely. I would think standing in one spot for ages would be a little hotter. it really is the best event in my eyes. hackney is awesome.
Fab photo RFC and a massive well done for running that distance in that heat. You did brilliantly. Although it's always sobering to read about others in distress, it probably wasn't surprising given the temperatures. Hopefully they're all ok.
Thank you. Unfortunately in my pen I heard so many people laughing about how much they had drunk the night before and how little training they had done. haven't heard bad news on social media so hopefully they are all feeling better know.
Thank you. my best mate takes my pictures she is the only one that can get a good picture of me, its going to be interesting to see what the race photos are like. I've promised myself the first one I see I like I will buy it.
Hi, I'm late to see this! Thanks for the write up, it was nice to learn how you adapted to less than ideal race conditions, and also how you made the race your own, tailored to your fitness!
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Hope all the people in distress were OK after some rehydration 
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Newham Great Run. Fantastic day.
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