Hackney Half Event report.: It is the day after... - Couch to 5K

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Hackney Half Event report.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate
27 Replies

It is the day after my HM.

I usually write a report on how it went, this year is no different in some ways but in others ways there is a massive difference.

It was my last HM for a couple of years. My physio and doctor have advised me to take a break from distances as my body needs to fully adjust to one kidney and menopause. Predominantly menopause. I am struggling. It is putting my thyroid meds out and we can’t get the dose right so I don’t have the energy I need. I will be doing 10km events instead.

Yesterday was my last HM until 2021/2, but I can promise you it won’t be my last one ever 😀.

It wasn't a Pb, but it also wasn’t my worst time either I did it in 3:10:58. My physio had advised a breakdown of 2 mins Race Walk and 30 seconds run as I have a weakness in my hamstrings that he has been treating me for since April.

I thought my post today would be about the things that are not in the training plans.

The night before. I set out everything on the dining table. I double and triple check everything I need. Water bottles/ backpack. 24 hour stay put water proof make up (yes I’m that person😀) clean clothes, music, bib number and safety pins. Shoes for afterwards, preferably with soft memory foam insoles. Keys and mobile with some cash in it.

I never sleep the night before an event, I am like a kid on Christmas Eve. I wake up every hour to check I haven’t slept in 😀. I am so excited.

My event was 27,000 people. As you travel to your event you see everyone heading in the same direction. I live in London so a train and tube to my event. There are groups of running clubs, groups of friends and singles but you all have the same purpose and there are little smiles between us all. We all know what we are going to do. We all have the same see through bag that goes to bag drop. You can sort of tell the new HM’s they look a little frightened but everyone gives them an extra smile if they are on their own. My first event a group of girls sussed out I was on my own and talked to me all the way to the event and calmed me right down. You see it happen so much and I do it myself if I see it.

My strategy is bag drop first then loo. That way I know exactly how much time I have to wait to go to the loo. If you are a fast runner in an early pen you will have less time for this. I always try and go to the loo before it starts but if I don’t then I will stop en route and go (my event has loos around the course) I have only ever not done this and I ended up with a kidney infection, never again, no Pb is worth that.

After the loos I go out on my own for a few minutes if I have time, I like to focus. You will see people dotted around the perimeter just mentally getting themselves ready. Personally I don’t do the big warm up, I do my own as I am worried I will pull something just before I start.

The start of an event is a strange time for me. It is a slow walk forward then as you near the start line the pace picks up gently by the time you pass the line you are moving with your group and you feel part of the pack. This is when it is really difficult to judge your own pace, I try and tuck myself into the left hand side and find my own pace. My first km is always the fastest of them all because of this. By about 3km I have levelled up into what my pace should be.

Mentally I break the run down two ways.

2 x 10 km plus the extra 1.1km

3 x 7km plus the extra.

I train in km’s, I have tried changing to miles but I really didn’t like it.

My HM training plans always have lots of 7km runs, it is a distance I love. I call it my headspace distance. During the event I will check my watch while thinking about my training times.

For me 10km to 17km goes by the quickest, I zone out and it is my favourite time of the run. By that time i have got to that distance I’m over the halfway mark and on the home stretch.

From 17km to the end, I’m mentally changing the finish time in my head as I calculate what sort of time I’m going to get. This keeps me motivated and spurred on all the way to the end. I am often found chanting to myself, “you’ve got this.” Over and over in the last Km. 😀.

So I’m across the line with my medal and goody bag.

I walk to a quiet patch and sit down. I take my shoes off first, leave my socks on. I stretch my legs and just get my breath. I look through the goody bag for refuel stuff. Yesterday it was a lovely peanut Kind bar and a bag of pop chips. I also got a sparking electrolyte drink so down the hatch that went as well. I decided to forego the two cans of Michelob Ultra lite beer 😀. I noticed quite a few didn’t.

Then it’s off to the changing area. I have a skirt that my lovely Mum had in The 80’s, it is a size 24 and knee length with an elasticated waist. I always take this to my events, it is great for hitching up under my armpits and getting changed with dignity. You can buy posh things for this but they cost a fortune and this works perfectly. Full change and quick wipe down with a towel. I prefer that to wet wipes as I find they dry my skin out and at this time I am dehydrated. My feet love the fresh socks and soft shoes.

Back home after a detour to Greggs, Yes I know! It is my guilty pleasure and there just happens to be a Greggs on the way to the tube. So it is a pasty, hot chocolate and a Pret almond croissant, these are my HM treats, I just love puff pastry so much but I don’t have it very often at all. I had a big pot of homemade chilli at home waiting for me full of all my veg. So all in all a nice balance 😀.

Epsom salts bath 250g for a big soak. It helps with the recovery.

It will take me two days to get back to full hydration and a few weeks for my immune system to bump back up to full strength. So the next few weeks it is the time to treat yourself kindly and don’t push too hard on the exercise.

So the Garmin stats for yesterday

Steps. 42,716. (My HM includes a 5km walk)

Kcalories 4,819. ( even a Greggs doesn’t dent that too much )

With training, planning HM’s are fun. Never to be taken lightly but I do love being in my 50’s and doing them. I will miss it for a few years but I will come back to them.

Photo of the bling 😀 it was a heavy one this year.

Happy running

To you all. Rfc x

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Realfoodieclub profile image
Realfoodieclub
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27 Replies
Stevieplink profile image
StevieplinkGraduate

Omg I want to do one. What an inspirational post. It will be a while but this is definitely a goal I now want to achieve.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toStevieplink

Training is key, if you have got that under your belt it is so doable. They are so much fun. 😀. All of the forums will help to get you there safely. Happy running. Rfc x

Debston profile image
DebstonGraduate

Aw, brilliant stuff, I'm in awe of you!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toDebston

Thank you. 😀 Rfc x

roseabi profile image
roseabi

Fabulous post, Rfc! And a huge WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!! xxx

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toroseabi

Thank you, hope you had a good day too 😀. Rfc x

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Fantastic write up Rfc. So pleased this one went so well for you, especially as you now need to cut down your distances for a while. I was thinking about you yesterday, and looking out for this report. Quite different from last year, thank goodness.😊

Loved reading all the details of the day (I am doing my first event later in the year), it's really helpful to know what happens on the day...Your mum's skirt as a changing robe is a great idea, and change of footwear etc.

Congratulations to you on completing a great HM, your favourite one, and enjoying the challenge. Super bling!

You will definately recover more quickly than last year, I hope. Enjoy some R and R and that post event happy feeling! 😙😊xxx

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toBluebirdrunner

Thank you. I am so much brighter today than I was last year, I think I was at my most relaxed after an event yesterday than I have ever been, that said only 2 mins off my PB. My mums skirt is brilliant, I love that she sort of gets to come with me too. 😀. The most important thing about events is to have fun and soak up all the atmosphere, I’m sure you will love it as I know you will of done all your training 😀. Rfc x

Brilliant, I have to say that's the most badass medal I've ever seen. I'd wear that all the time. 😄

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply to

To be honest it was getting a bit to heavy by the time I got home, Yes, I wear it all the way home 😂😂😂, and I’m not the only one. I am such a bling hound 😀.

Mike_Bravo profile image
Mike_BravoGraduate

Thank you so much RFC, that was lovely and helpful to read. I am in as much awe as much as everyone else with what you're achieving.

I really hope it's not too long before you're running HMs again and that you sort out the meds soon. I'm only just starting week 2 of a 10k programme to try to get <60 mins for 10k but you've got me already thinking about what next.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toMike_Bravo

Thank you. With small increases and the strength work you are doing all that is needed is time. I know even if I take a break I can build up and go again in the future as long as I take my time 😀.

Happyrunningfeet profile image
HappyrunningfeetGraduate

Well done :) it was enlightening to read ur report. Enjoy the next few days resting.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toHappyrunningfeet

Thank you. I’ve just sat down and I could go to sleep 😂😂😂.

Glossy profile image
GlossyGraduate

Wonderful write up RFC. Sorry to hear you’re having an enforced break. Hopefully you’ll come back stronger than ever!

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toGlossy

Thank you, that is the plan, an adjustment period 😀.

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate

What a bittersweet day for you, to know it is your last HM for a while, but what an opportunity to change the focus for a bit. Thanks for another great post and a great reminder of what we can do when we put our minds to it and to enjoy our event.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toSaskAlliecat

It was a bit but I have my new goals in place already and I’m feeling excited about them. Down for a bit but definitely not out 😀.

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate

Fabulous post RFC! 👍🏅✔😁

So hard to be curtailed but health really has to come first and we know you'll come back to it all the better for the break.

Fingers crossed for your health goals now 🤞😗

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Thank you. After struggling for over a year I have decided time for a change of plan, I am Hoping things will pick up with the doctors recommendations 😀.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Moving, memorable and motivating.

What a wonderful post... the image of you in Mum's skirt.. absolutely hilarious... I love it, and that she is right there with you... :)

You have made such incredible progress over this last year, on every single level and you went out and you did amazingly.

A medal indeed... and time now to rest up from HMs for a while and focus on those 10Ks....I think there are going to be a few of us around doing those:)

Thank you for this inspirational post...thank you for being here for all of us x

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toOldfloss

Aw thank you Floss. I bet I would cause a giggle in the skirt if someone took a picture 😂. I’m marshalling a 10km in July this year so that should get me In the spirit of them. It’s one If you volunteer you get free place in an event of theirs within the next year so that is Next Years event sorted 😀. Rfc x

Sybilw profile image
SybilwGraduate

Congratulations! It’s wise to look at the big picture even if it’s frustrating. Hope things stabalise for you soon.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toSybilw

Thank you. I already have some other plans formulated ready to start, I do love a plan. Rfc x

DiscoRunner profile image
DiscoRunnerGraduate

Just amazing Rfc - wonderful post - really great to read those practical tips. Interesting about the 7k - that’s my next step on the route to a 10k.

Realfoodieclub profile image
RealfoodieclubGraduate in reply toDiscoRunner

Thank you. 7 km are a special run in my book. something just switches over into relax mode as soon as I go from my 5km course to the 7km one, it is YES, its me time. Rfc x

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate

Sorry, I missed this post. Many congratulations, I admire you. Fantastic 😀

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