Firstly, thank you to all you lovely people for supporting me through a hairy final few weeks of my HM training. Secondly, I did it! And you know what? I loved every minute of it, more than I ever thought possible. I must have looked like a right loon as I was literally grinning the whole way. (I remembered reading an interview with the lovely Kipchoge, who said that smiling made running a race so much easier, so I thought I would give that a whirl – I am happy to report it works.)
Weirdly, I did not have many nerves this morning pre-race. I felt prepared, and excited. Only slight nerves came from wondering if my ITB syndrome would flare up and ruin my race. My eyes pinged open at 5am, and I sprang out of bed for coffee and time to chill/prepare. Arrived at the race start in plenty of time, pinned on me number, and milled around taking in the atmosphere, chatting to a few other runners. Such a beautiful day! Blue skies and sun...gorgeous. Felt a bit teary at the start line for no apparent reason – I was not sad. Just...teary! Then I got a grip. It was going to be a hot run and I needed to hold onto body fluids, not let them leak out of my eyes! (Thank goodness for sunglasses.)
I started well at the back, whilst everyone else zipped off at an alarmingly fast pace. It was a little bit off-putting, as nobody likes to be one of the last, but I kept my nerve, and kept it at a good slow pace. I did eventually to overtake a few people, but not that many! It was a race full of club runners ... all after PBs it seemed! I felt absolutely amazing for the first 12k. Lots of energy (thanks to carb loading), happy, and no pain anywhere. The marshalls were fantastic; support minimal, as it was a small race, but there was some support and it was lovely. And my boyfriend waited at the 4k mark to cheer me on (as it was right by our flat!) That was lovely. He then caught the train to be waiting for me at the finish line. Off I trotted. So nice to run familiar streets, and pass through my two favourite parks that I train in.
Then! What I had been worrying about actually did happen. Knee pain at 12km. Not unbearable, but there all the same. A bit sharp and achy. Classic ITB friction. Pfffffft. I was so annoyed, as I did not need to stop for any other reason; I was feeling great. But, Sadie the Sensible kicked in, so from that point on I took lots of walk breaks. It did help, but the pain did kick back in whenever I ran. But still, I felt cheery, and pretty confident I could finish this way.
I stopped at 18k to walk for a bit with a lady who was looking very miserable. She was not injured or in any pain, but just kept saying over and over that her head was not in the right place and that she just couldn't run. I so felt for her. But, after our little chat she managed to start running again and overtook me! I must say, my head was very much in the right place. Just my knee wasn't having any of it!
I finished with a big smile on my face with a time of 2:36:01. (My boyfriend was there to see me finish, good lad!) I am so happy I managed to finish, as last week I was convinced I wouldn't make it. But please humour me here…I am a little disappointed though. I had to walk quite a lot of the 2nd half of the race – and cannot help but wonder what time i would have got if my ITB hadn't flared up. I feel a tiny bit cheated. I could have run the whole thing with no walking if it wasn't for that, I felt so good and so full of energy, even in the last 5k. (Please don't judge me and tell me I am being silly, this is a safe space and I had to say it!)
Next up: rehab this damn ITB, do some park runs, run with David_G, and improve my 5k time. Oh, and book my next HM! It was the most joyous experience ever!
Sadie-runs over and out! xxx
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Sadie-runs
Half Marathon
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Oh bless you backintime ! And thank you for understanding my little disappointment – you are right though, I can certainly shave time off my current PB, and look forward to doing so! Sauvignon Blanc chilling in the fridge as we speak (b/f bought me a fancy expensive one to say congratulations!) xxx
Wow congratulations! I'm glad you had such a good time,love your attitude. I get the dreaded itb too so can appreciate how uncomfortable it was at times!! Well done you should ge really proud of yourself xxx
Thanks dear aliboo! A first HM is very special I have found out, so I am very confused – proud, happy and a wee bit disappointed (but overwhelmingly happy!) Sorry to hear you suffer with the ole ITB too – it is very common apparently. I hope I don't have it for ever! If you have any handy tips or tricks on how to manage it, please do message me. Thanks again. xxx
Great run Sadie, you got through it and you’re a HM runner now! 🏃♀️🏅You’ve had so many obstacles on the way but you went round/ignored/ploughed through all of them🏃♀️💪👍
Thanks for the name check- that was unexpected😊 We’ll definitely have a run when you’re ready!
For now, rest up, relax and bask in the glory of your achievement!👍🏅👏👏👏x
Thank you David! And looking forward for a wee trot around Place Park with you soon (though I know you are HM training, so it will be more when you are ready etc now!) Going to rest, swim, yoga this week and see how I go. Feeling so happy! xxx
Lovely, lovely run report Sadie - well done on your HM! 🙂👍🏅I also have a niggly ( it band related) knee at the moment, so like you, have those runs where it slows me up a bit (although luckily it doesn't seem to actually stop me running🤞). Your time was fab...and at least you know that when your knee settles, you can get out there and smash a new PB!! The most important thing is that you enjoyed the day - photos are great btw.🙂
Aw, thank you so much, Sandra! It is a weird mix of absolute joy and slight disappointment. But mostly joy! I ran a flipping race! I have never even done park run before! Oh, eeek! Sorry to hear you get a bit of ITB syndrome too. It really sucks. No pain when walking, ouchy when running. Meh. And no physio in the land seems to know how to fix it. Pffft. Short runs are okay, so I will stick to those for a while now...
I have tried all sorts, and many exercises(!) Have recently bought some Hoka running shoes and although I am still getting niggles, I think they may be helping. 🤞
Whoop-a-doodle-do 🎉🎈👏🍾💪 I've been thinking of you all day Sadie and I'm so thrilled for you 🤗
Do NOT, for a second, feel disappointed. You just beat that old ITB and put it in its place. I know how painful it can be so hats off to you for carrying on. You did it!!
Many congratulations to you and very well done. Gorgeous photos, you look fit and happy and that bling should be cherished forever 😊
“Whoop-a-doodle do!” I LOVE IT! Thank you so much, dearest Princess, you say the loveliest things. ❤️ (And eeep! Have you suffered ITB syndrome too?!)
I do feel very fit right now. Just wish my ITB would get with the programme. Pffft! But yes, I got a PB and most importantly I finished! Perspective Sadie, perspective! 😂
Thank you again, HRH! xxx
I’m guessing you got all the stress out in the preceding weeks. But I have to say I felt exactly the same with my first public race: very calm.
That is an extremely good time. I want to run the whole thing if my knee let’s me, and I won’t expect to finish in anything like such a good time - I would be gobsmacked and ecstatic if I did. I think we forget that 13 miles is a huge deal. I’ve been reading race reports for the Oxford half and there are people in their twenties, who trained, and said how relieved they were to manage it and that it was tough, and that’s a flat fast course!
Well, you did it and did it splendidly. I wouldn’t worry about the walking bits. Lots of people walk part of half marathons and marathons and still consider they have done the race properly.
Thank you so much, you are lovely Flick. I think the fact that it was quite a small event (only 447 runners in the end), so it didn't feel overwhelming. I was just mostly excited to be running! (As always, I am a bit like a dog in that respect, throw me a ball and I am away!)
I don't feel bad about walking – I often walked a bit during my training runs, no shame in that at all when you are running 13 miles! I just cannot help but think what might have been without this injury, sorry that's just the way my obviously quite competitive mind works. I am a mild mannered lass, but it does appear I am quite competitive (with myself!) Also slightly concerned about how insidious this ITB syndrome is. I hope my days of long-distance running are not over before they even begin.
I do hope your knees play ball so you can run the whole course for your HM and get a time you are happy with. You are obviously fit enough to do this, and I think you are going to have a great run! I am now getting excited for your race! At the end of the day, it is all about enjoyment, isn't it? Despite my mild annoyance at my knee, my over-arching memory of my first HM is one of joy; I loved it, even the bits that hurt!
and yes, it's about the run and having fun. I had a wonderful time with both my Blenheim races, chatting to begin with, then zoning out once I found myself alone in lovely scenery xxx
Oh I do hope so. 🤞 I found myself running alone (cos I was at the back) quite a lot. Didn’t like those bits as much, which is weird considering I have always pegged myself as a solitary runner! I liked the bits where I got to chat to others en route. I am an annoyingly chatty runner! 😂 xxx
Hi Sadie. So happy to see this report, which I’ve been looking out for all day. Wonderful that you did it – I always knew you would! – and that you enjoyed so much of it, too. Hope you aren’t too tired or uncomfortable now and that you are putting your feet up/being suitably waited on.
Thanks so much, Stephen! And thank you for all your support leading up to my race day. I cannot quite believe how much I loved the whole event! Never done a race before in my life, and had no idea how it would go...especially as I am an introvert and don't really feel comfortable in crowds. I was waited on hand and foot last night – dinner was cooked and brought to me, along with a rewarding glass of cold wine. Never before has wine tasted so good! xxx
Thanks, Sadie. Good to know you were waited on hand and foot (especially the foot part, in the circumstances). It has been an adventure just following your adventure, and SO inspiring in terms of looking ahead to my own HM event in March. I will try to follow your good example and remember to smile as I run.
Thank you so much Ripcurlrana71 . I purposely did mine before yours, so I can tell you what a wonderful time you and all the other Bournemouth HMers are going to have! You will love it, and you will smash it! Thank you again, lovely friend. xxx
Great to see this report Sadie - I'm so pleased that you managed to both start and finish if you see what I mean - but really never doubted you would - you're always so determined!
I can understand you being a bit disappointed - but whatever your time today it's a PB - and just imagine the improvement next time 😁!
Time now to rest up a bit and work on your ITB.
Hope you're planning something lovely to celebrate!
I do see what you mean DebJogsOn ! Both starting and finishing were in contention for a while! And thank you. For the congrats and for understanding my disappointment. I am sort of over it, as my overwhelming feeling is one of gratitude that I made it, and now my mind is too busy plotting my recovery and rehab to dwell on what could have been. Also, a big part of me is happy to not have to be training for a race now! (Until the next one...I think I am a convert!) xxx
Really pleased that the knee didn’t kick in until 12k Sadie and totally understand you feeling a little bit disappointed having to walk/run at the end but you were enjoying the run and smiling through it so that is the main thing. I looked at the route with Stanley and couldn’t believe how far you went. The parks must have been lovely today too.
So a big well done and good luck with the knee. My physio appointment is Friday so I will find out if mine is the same problem.
Thanks dear Dexy! You make a good point – if it had come on any sooner who knows if I would have even finished! At 12km, I was not ready to give up, so the run-walk was possible. Phew. The route was good. Much of it was pavement running (which in that heat, was hard!), but it made the parts through the parks so much sweeter – trees, squirrels, water and most heavenly – shade from the sun!
I'll keep my fingers crossed for good news from your physio appointment – do keep me posted. xxx
Awesome effort SR!! After all that angst you made it👍 Ok so your ITB needs a good kicking ... maybe that’s not the best rehab plan on reflection....but you did what you had to do to finish....You are a winner 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇👏👏👏👏👏⭐️⭐️
Hey lovely Sadie......... 😍 YOU DID ITTTTTT!!!!!! So pleased for you. I haven't been on here much, but I have picked up on a few strava posts of your training and if course your injuries too, but you did it my little lovely.
Don't worry about the walking part of it, (I know it's easy for me to say that, but I'd feel just like you if it was me), but you know what I mean though. Remember, you did the sensible thing by walking and not pushing it to be left with further injury, so this now means you can strengthen your knee and work t I wards your next race ❤️🏃
💃💃💃💃 That's me dancing congratulations to you, lol xxx 👍🍾💐🎶
Aw, thank you lovely quirkybee ! I have no shame around taking walk breaks during a run – in fact I actively encourage it on long runs! Just cannot help but think of what I could have done, as I felt so fit otherwise. But! I will get over this. And get better, and beat my PB one day! Thank you so much for your kind words (and for the congratulations dance, that was nice!) xxx
Hurrah...Hurrah...Hurrah
Brilliant, well done Sadie-runs You must be so proud of yourself!
Congratulations Sadie...and a massive well done. I've followed your story with interest and am chuffed for you. I've got my first HM booked for the 5th January!! I'm also working on running happy!! Enjoy your well earned rest!!
Thank you so much Interstellar ! It was a rollercoaster of a story, eh? Enjoy your training – remember, so much of running happy is in the head. You can and will do the distances, just by sticking to the plan and telling yourself you will do this, because you can. And smile. Even when it is hard going! You are going to have so much fun. xxx
Brilliant. You did great. A very respectable time regardless, and yes, without the pain you'd have got an even better time. And you will, next time 👍🏻😁💪🏻
Well that’s a great sign! It shows how fit you are when you recover quickly. I don’t feel too bad, although getting up from the seated position is, well, interesting! 🤔 Sore quads, but nothing I can’t handle. 💪 xxx
Completely and uttering AMAZING you!!! YAY!!!!!!! Well chuffing done love! Half marathon AND a dodgy knee?!!! You just blumming well trounced all over it!!!! I don't blame you in the slightest for being a little peed off with the old knee cos it sounds like you would have romped home otherwise. BUT it does sound like it was an otherwise joyous occasion....even with the walking it's a FAB time you got.
I hope you enjoy all those little smiling moments you have over the next week or so, when you keep realising exactly what you've achieved today... They are what's important, not the time, or any of the poo you've had getting to this point.... cos now, you are a half marathon runner!!! And a flipping awesome one to boot! xxx
Thank you Fishypieface ! Oh lorks yes, if it wasn't for pesky knee there would have been much romping! I did manage a canter to the finish line, so that was good. Despite disappointment, I do feel rather chuffed with myself. I learned 2 things: 1. I am resilient and in terms of mental strength, I am up there with Uri Geller. 2. I am so bloody competitive! Who knew?! Thank you for all your support and for always making me laugh, even when I was being moany. You are a pal. xxx
Thank you cheekychipmunks ! I am so happy that I managed it; will soon get over the "ooooh I could have done it quicker" nonsense! It was such a happy event, I am still smiling. xxx
Thanks UpTheStanley ! And I would love that! I am going to rest up for a week or two, and then keep to shorter distances for a while during my rehab. 5k parkrun with you and the lovely Dexy5 will keep my spirits up! xx
Omg amazing! I knew you would do it and you did! I’m sorry you had some discomfort but glad it didn’t stop the race for you. Good luck in your recovery and strengthening yourself for the next start line!! X
Thanks Couchpotato2 ! And thank you for having such faith in me! I have been such a whiner about the whole thing, but you guys have been great. Devising my rehab plan now. xxx
Congratulations Sadie! It’s so hard to carry on when you’re doubting your fitness, and probably the right call to switch to Jeffing after your twinge. After all, there’ll be other races; you know you’ve got the distance now and a PB to shoot for if that’s what you want to do. Enjoy the 5ks once you’re fully fit. I’ve got to admit it’s probably still my favourite distance - none of that faffing about with fuelling!
Lovely report and photos. p.s. we’ve got that rug too. 😄
Thanks Colinsmith ! Yes, the ITB flare up certainly added an extra challenge to the whole thing, but at 12k I really wasn't prepared to give it all up. Knee a bit achy today, but nothing that a bit of icing and rest won't sort out. Now I have time to devise my recovery masterplan! xxx
p.s. clearly you have very good taste, it is a lovely rug.
That particular scene, you and the miserable lady in bits, l can see as an out-take from Apocalypse Now (in a very good sense, actually). I did think (as promised) of how you're getting on when l ran my usual 10k round Crystal Palace/Norwood way, trying to send my mental energy along (that seldom works, but one needs to persist). You've done it, it's in the bag, well done. Now focus on fixing that thing. Get 'Alex', or 'Alex ll' to figure it out, it's crucial to get it back to normal. Best of luck! 👊
LOL mrrun . Yes, it was rather like that. Although I didn't bark orders at her, rather tried my best to out-psyche her demons. Loved it when she zipped past me at the end! Oh, I got chatting to a bloke before the race who runs from Beckenham to Crystal Palace regularly. I must try that sometime – but not for a while, as long distances are out until I can sort this ITB bastard. It is a tricky one. Thanks for your kind wishes and support, you are a pal.
Don’t beat yourself up Sadie, you finished and in a very respectable time considering your injury....I know what it feels like carrying an injury into a HM 😬
Give yourself time to recover and on to the next one 🤗
Thank you dear TedG . x I feel less bad about it now (mostly cos so many bits of me are aching this morning I have no headspace to beat myself up!) Hope you are doing okay? I was thinking of you yesterday, and did think at the 19km mark "I must do this for Ted!" Next year, you and me, Beckenham HM? We'll both smash it. xxx
Great job Sadie! You did great. And just think what that next one will be like with your ITB all fixed up. Having Sensible Sadie kick in is smart - it makes you WANT to run another one....and you will be able to because you didn't push through the pain. Kudos to you for having a great event and not letting that knee get you down!
Cheers SaskAlliecat ! Thankfully my willpower was stronger than my knee! I am glad it was not so bad that I couldn't run-walk it to the end. The weird thing about this injury is that there is no pain at all when walking; it kind of makes it all the more annoying! But, I am now focussing on my recovery plan, and still feeling joyful that I ran a HM! What a weekend for both of us, eh? Thanks for all your support. xxx
This is so wonderful to read Sadie! I’m so glad you did it and in an incredible time as well (I can only dream of that!). You should be super proud 🥳🥳🥳
Congratulations! I agree with the others that you now have a PB that you're likely to beat. I'm almost never happy with my races. There are so many "if onlys". It's all nonsense, of course.
Cheers dear VBR 316neil ! I did it! I flipping did it! And I am suffering for it, too! LOL! But worth every minute. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the whole event, despite pesky injury. Still, gives me something new to focus on – getting rid of said injury! Thank you for your kind words and support, dear Neil. x
So so glad you enjoyed it Sadie, anyone who can run that distance is pretty special in my book. Now you just need to fix the ITB thing... any ideas on how?
I do have some ideas (have seen a physio twice since it first happened), but unfortunately it can be persistent and tricky. But the good news is, it mostly means rest, followed by reduced mileage, strength training, and eventually building distance up again. That was my post-HM plan anyway. 😁 Wish me luck!
Thanking you kindly dear Tbae! I loved the HM distance and really want to do it again some day. 😍 Thank you for your support! And yes, number one priority is fixing my ITB now. Wish me luck! xxx
Brilliant Sadie. Every run is a learning curve. This one shows how strong you are to deal with ITB and not quit. Forget the time, you should be so proud of your mettle.
Thank you Whatsapp, that’s such a kind thing to say. I did prove to myself that I am plucky, I suppose! It was so much fun - I won’t dwell on the time now. 😊👍
I was waiting for this post and somehow, after looking all day Sunday, I have missed it?! I saw it on strava and wondered where the full report was!!!?!!!
I am sooooooo proud of you Sadie-runs , I know how stress you were getting and how worried you were about your knee...but you've battled on through, even though it was niggling from 12k, you didnt stop and give up, oh no, not you, you carried on regardless!!! You shouldn't feel cheated Sadie, you should feel extremely proud.....everyone on here is so proud of you you know!!
Rest up now missy, I knew you'd already be thinking of the next,i for example, have yet to think of my first, I dont think that's achievable for me and although you've inspired me I'll give it a miss!!! Lol!!!
Truly, I congratulate you Sadie and I will open a bottle of fizz on Friday evening and drink to you and you amazing HM...even helping someone to acheive their goal when they were flagging...xxxx
Aw, lovely Mummycav! Thank you for your kind message my lovely. 😊 I am still grinning with happiness that I made it! Damn knee though! This is going to take some time to sort out, but at least I am no longer training for an event - that was stressful when the injury first appeared!
21k, weirdly, did not feel that far! 😂 I think it was all the distraction of being with other runners, the Marshalls and the supporters. I didn’t even listen to music, which is most unlike me! I think I shall run without music a lot more in the future; I really liked it!
I do feel proud, and do want to do another, but am a bit daunted by the nature of this ITB issue. 🙁 Even my physio said it is a hard one to shake. But, I shall plug away at it and be sensible. Physio said I should be able to manage some short, speedy runs in a couple of weeks time, but long runs might be off the table for a long time. Pfffft! Must learn patience!
Thank you SO SO much for always supporting me and cheering me on lovely Bev. It means so much to me. 😘😘😘
You know you will be doing the right thing by sticking to short runs, just for the time being...I would hate for you to sustain a long term injury...sometimes, after a long run, my knees ache soooooo much, so I just take an extra rest day and then do a short one, just to stop things seizing up and keep things moving...this running business is so complex, we are all complex...no 2 runners are the same are we??? But we all understand where each other are coming from...I only ran 7k this eve and i thought of you...there is absolutely no way i could run a HM...or even contemplate entering one because i dont have that faith in myself like you do...gosh, i only just have the belief in myself to do 5k at parkrun on a saturday!!!! But, whatever we all do, how ever far we run, its further than we could've imagined so we are all amazing...just some more than others, like you my HM friend...blimey one minute its C25k, next its 21k?!! Who'd have ever thought it??!!!! Congratulations again my lovely Sadie xxxx
Aw, you say the loveliest things, Bev. 😘 Yes, this running business is so complex! I didn’t even know I had an IT band, let alone what it was, until about a year ago! 😂 Plus, when I first started running, I did nothing else - no strength training, minimal stretching, no real cross training to speak of. And then I got into distance running and all that had to change! But I must say, I love exercising now and feeling fit! I am 10Ibs lighter since starting running, and my body shape has completely changed. But most importantly I am generally a more positive person who believes in herself a hell of a lot more than she used to. Running works both body and mind, eh?
I am quite looking forward to running shorter distances for a while. I am even going to try park run! You have inspired me. 😊 Oh, and thanks too for the lovely compliment on my pic. Just think, when I first started running I wouldn’t dare go out in public in shorts! 😱 Now I go out in full combat mode and don’t give a hoot!
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My eyes pinged open at 5am, and I sprang out of bed for coffee and time to chill/prepare. Arrived at the race start in plenty of time, pinned on me number, and milled around taking in the atmosphere, chatting to a few other runners. Such a beautiful day! Blue skies and sun...gorgeous. Felt a bit teary at the start line for no apparent reason – I was not sad. Just...teary! Then I got a grip. It was going to be a hot run and I needed to hold onto body fluids, not let them leak out of my eyes! (Thank goodness for sunglasses.)
x
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