What a morning, had a soak now having a massive cuppa tea.

[Realfoodieclub]

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.  

[Madge50 Graduate]

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!

Mx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Madge50]

Thank you.  it was hot, I put in for the marathon ballot last week ooops!  not sure I could of gone and done exactly the same all again.

[catchmeifucan]

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!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to catchmeifucan]

Thank you,  I took the rest of the day off yesterday but back to normal today, a little slower with my blisters.

[AncientMum Graduate]

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 

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Thank you. I have learnt so much from here. I cant find any information but I hope they are all well.  maybe no news is good news sort of thing.

[B0bP Graduate]

Congratulations 😀

I have a couple of friends who completed it today, they too were saying about the heat.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to B0bP]

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.

[B0bP Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Yes it sounds like they had fun 😀

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

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.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

thank you.  I felt sorry for them, I'm with you I hope everyone is ok.

[Rignold]

Good work RFC and well done for staying with the fallen runner. That must have been quite discomfiting.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Rignold]

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.

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

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.

Mx

[misswobble Graduate]

Whoop whoop 😊 Well done RFC   Blingtastic!     

It was a bit too hot for running today, ideally,  but we did it ☺

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to misswobble]

we sure did.  Go Us.    my Bling looks like s sheriffs badge, its so cool.

[poppypug Graduate]

Aw you look amazing, what a great photo !

Massive Congratulations to you RFC , it is very upsetting to see when runners fall, and how good of you to stay with that girl.

It was very very hot today, Well done on a fantastic effort !

Have a lovely few days recovery , very well earnt ! xxx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to poppypug]

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.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

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.  

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

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.

[Noaky12 Graduate]

Bloomin well done RFC. Great result on a tough day. Amazing job x

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Noaky12]

thank you so much.

[Fitfor60 Graduate]

Well done .glad you were sensible and ran to the conditions. 

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Fitfor60]

Thank you.  No run is worth making myself ill over.  As my dad would say your growing up girl! hehe.

[samsonandrew Graduate]

Well done RFC, it certainly was warm at work today let alone on a half marathon. Excellent job.!!!!!! 

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to samsonandrew]

Thank you.  Apparently someone said we are due a heatwave this year so maybe more to come.

[ancientrunner Graduate]

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.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to ancientrunner]

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.

[aliboo70]

Well done RFC that must have been really hard in the heat, you did fantastically! Lovely  photo you look rightly proud 😆😊

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to aliboo70]

Thank you.  hehe a least this years picture has me standing up! I collaped in a heap at the end of last year. 

[AndyD Graduate]

Well done RFC.. You're a hero for helping out fallen runners.. We are a good bunch of folk 🏃😀👌

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to AndyD]

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. 

[goonkeepgoing Graduate]

Well done😎

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to goonkeepgoing]

thank you

[Coddfish Graduate]

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. 

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Coddfish]

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.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Yeay! Wonderful run and great pikkie.. go you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trust you to stay with the fallen runner.. you are amazing! How distressing for her and you...but hopefully all well !

I am in total awe of you...brilliant!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you. I do really think anyone on this forum would do the same if they saw someone in distress. 

[Jaxsy_runs]

Congratulations! Great photo Rfc; 

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Jaxsy_runs]

Thank you so much

[Irishprincess Graduate]

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. 

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

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.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

There's probably a lot of fearful bravado at the start but I can't imagine having a lot to drink the night before (any) run! 

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Wow, just look at you! You look great, and justifiably pleased with yourself. Well dne for staying with that poor lass, I hope she was ok xx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Curlygurly2]

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.

[Pigivi]

Well done RFC, and good for you for stopping to help!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Pigivi]

Thank you so much, great to hear from you again, weve missed you.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Congratulations RFC. 😊 That sounds really tough physically and mentally. It was a scorcher yesterday, even the breeze was warm. 

Thats a lot of km clocked up too...don't know how you did it. xx

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thank you.  The mist stations were really nice.  It was also a 3km walk to and from the event as well.  The walk there wasn't too bad but the walk back!

[misswobble Graduate]

Well done Madge!   😊 I forgot to say.  I hope you had a fab race too ☺

[parseraisin Graduate]

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!

Congratulations!