That was a struggle!! I’d had my banana and a electrolyte drink before I left and felt positive. The first 10k was fine. I had one of my SIS gels at 7k, then some water at 8k and every 2k after that. I ran along the Tarka Trail, as usual, and tried not to look at my watch too much as I knew I had to get to Wrafton at least and probably as far as Vellator too. As it turned out Vellator was only 8.4k so I carried on up around by the Tesco and then around the new little estate that is behind it. Then doubled back round, across the pedestrian bridge and back onto the Trail again. I had my dried apricots at 12k when I felt I was starting to flag a bit. Then at 15k my right thigh had a wobble and I thought I was going to fall. I had my other SIS gel then and to be honest I don’t remember much of the last 3k. Just one foot in front of the other and determination to finish.
My tummy had wanted a pitstop since the halfway turnaround but I concentrated on ignoring it and just kept going. I’d set out a bit later than I meant to ( overslept) and it was a lot warmer than I like to run in but I’d taken a thin buff which I wore round my head and spared a little of my water to wet it a bit. That seemed to help. And I soldiered on.
When I got back to Barnstaple again my watch only showed 16.89 so I did a couple of laps of Castle Green .
And all of a sudden my watch said 18.01. Whoohoo!! Did it!! And thanks to Cheekychipmunks too because she had committed to 18k and did it, so I committed too. Couldn’t let her down could I?
However after all my prep when I got home after doing a good 10 minute cool down walk, I felt pins and needles in my hands and feet. Then as I was in my kitchen stretching, while cooking porridge and boiling the kettle for a cuppa, I thought I was going to faint. I’d had a big glass of water when I first got in but now I went and sat in a chair and put my head down till I felt better. I had to do this 3 more times while my porridge cooked. Finally I ate it then lay on my Pilates Mat and put my legs up the wall for a while, then showered and lay on the bed with the two younger cats. Luna very nicely gave me her version of a sports massage. (If she was just a bit heavier.....)
Think I’m recovered now but was a bit scary. Maybe my BP dropped a bit? I’ve taken my tablet now and eaten breakfast so hopefully I’ve levelled out now.
Gonna take it fairly easy for the rest of the the day. But I did it!!! 😁😁😁🎉🎉🏃♀️
Written by
limberlou
Half Marathon
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really well done. Sorry you felt bad after, maybe just low blood sugar? That can make you dizzy, but the pins and needles reminds me of my anaemia - could it be either of those?
Thanks, interesting reading...maybe where I was struggling towards the end and trying not to think about the toilet I was clenching my fists. Never had it before
Wow well done! That is a big distance. Not sure about the tingling sensation, but the article link sounds like it is nothing too serious. Maybe mention it to your doctor just to be safe.
I’ve had that faintness - nearly passed out after hilly Blenheim 10k race, and that was a run where I went faster than normal but felt fine. I had it again after 12k hilly run in the heat last summer. If you remember, I had an ecg and blood tests and there was absolutely nothing wrong. Looking at your pace, it’s not much slower than your normal runs, so that could have something to do with it. In my case it’s also because my resting hr is very low for my age but my max hr is high, so I think comes down too quickly. My blood pressure is on the low side too. would any of this apply to you as well?
Anyway, that aside, this is a brilliant achievement of which you should be hugely proud!
I usually keep an eye on my pace but I accidentally changed something on my watch and it keeps showing laps on Garmin connect rather than kms. So I tried to change it back ( not sure what I’d done in the first place ) and now it doesn’t seem to show my pace. There is some other number which goes up when I speed up and down when I slow and that was around 6.3-6.9 most of the way. No idea what it was. So I do think I was a bit fast for me ... for long distance anyway.
I have had high BP ever since my divorce 9 years ago, always had low BP before , and I’m on tablets but it’s only a low dose and maybe as I’ve got fitter I don’t need them.
Shouldn’t have been low blood sugar as I’d had banana before I left and dried apricots and SIS gel on the run.
Could have just been the heat
Who knows???
Feeling much better now but I have had 2 coffees, big glass of water, porridge and now a sandwich. 😁
Haha no, it was BT man, who kindly gave me water. I continued to pass out all the way home up the hill, and then for the next hour. I’m very careful about slowing down from my runs, then continuing to walk for a while
Thanks I’m still experimenting, as I never took water or fuel while I was running up to 14k and then I thought when I started going further I thought perhaps I ought to as it was getting hotter
Thats interesting, I don't fuel at all for 18k runs. I always worry I'm missing something though, and wonder at what point I would need this if I extended my runs - say for marathon traiining. How do you know / sense you need to fuel?
i felt a bit whoozy on my last long run and I think it was dehydration despite drinking. I ran out of drink though. I was just about to start an uphill. I thought lowering my head down made it worse, so I got myself upright again and felt better. I was near home so all good
Well done on the 18k! I hope you’re feeling better now. It’s a long distance and it’s not always easy to figure out fuel. You persevered and did it!🏃♀️👍
Interesting discussion about water and fuel while on longer runs. I haven't needed food or snacks yet - not run far enough!
Wow 18km is an amazing achievement! I've felt nauseous and a bit faint a couple of times half way into runs (furthest I've done is 11.5k) and for me I'm sure it was related to low blood sugar and dehydration. I had to sit down and put my head between my legs til I felt better. I think it must take a fair bit of experimentation to get fuelling right. If I were you I'd probably go to gp to review BP meds though too if you suspect your requirement for them may have changed. Good luck figuring it all out and well done!
I was feeling dizzy at the end of the long magic plan runs last year limberlou so I started taking BP readings twice a day for 2 weeks and took them to pharmacist. He recommended I go to GP to have dosage checked. Result - off meds altogether!
Yessss go LL! Amazing, you did it! 👊👍🏃♀️👏✅💪☀️🏃♀️🎉
It’s far isn’t it? Really far, but too close to HM to stop now I think. I bet we’ll find it better when the weather cools down a bit. I’ve read loads of posts about people flagging in the heat - and it’s not even that hot when you’re not running! 🥵🥵
You did an amazing job, and I’m pleased I subconsciously spurred you on. My promise to VRBs certainly got me to the end. If I’d kept it quiet, it’s possible I might have bailed after 13k. But no, we did it! 👊👊👊👊
Hope you’re feeling ok now? Maybe more electrolytes needed next time? Take it easy for the next couple of days at least! ❤️
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I only blooming well did it!
Shout out for Callum Hawkins💪👏👏...plus my 18k run🙂.
I did it!
I DID IT 
I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
