First of all I want to say the star of the show was linda9389 She came all the way to meet me, cycled the last bit of the journey in pouring rain, kept me company, held stuff for me while I went to the loo, walked to the start with me, then took some fab photos (most of the ones in the collage were hers). And she is one of the nicest people I have met. I felt as if I’d known her for years.
But I digress. Mr IDS had to take the dogs out, and it was easier for me to get the bus into Oxford. Loads of other runners at the bus stop. I chatted to two very bouncy, fit German men who were expecting to get round in sub 2 hours. Bus was 20 minutes late, so everybody was stressing. Three stops on the way out of Abingdon, and nearly all passengers were sporting Virgin Sport drop off bags! The road when we got to Oxford was log jammed with cars making for the park and ride, and there were massive cues for the buses. I’ve never seen so many runners in one place!
Off the bus, I made my way between honey coloured colleges to the event village in University Parks. It was absolutely chucking it down. A flurry of text messages between myself and Linda before we met at the bag drop off area. By that time there was only time to queue for the loos before walking to the start pens. Linda walked along with me the other side of the barrier till we got underway. She kept popping up and waving after that, which was really encouraging.
I was a bit disconcerted to find my watch, which flagged up Oxford half as my run, just showed time and distance. I was intending to monitor my pace and heart rate but couldn’t. I did start off very steadily though and soon overtook the people who had dashed off at speed - they were all walking! When I looked at the stats after, I’d about 2 hours 25minutes in zone 3 and 55 minutes. in zone 4
The rain stopped briefly ( everyone was soaking by that stage) and we were weaving our way between ancient buildings, then out onto the Banbury Road. By this time my shoes were waterlogged! But it was really nice that everyone along the route cheered runners on by name or high fived us. I saw Mic’s niece and children. Her husband did the race in 1.35.
Then up to Summertown, back down and out along Marston Ferry link road to Old Marston village, which was a treat with its chocolate box, quintessentially English cottages. I was going really well, pacing myself at an easy lope, trying to preserve the knee. I wasn’t tired at all. It was strange running along, with runners looping back and coming in the other direction. 11k and feeling fine.
Spoke too soon. At about 13k knee reared it’s head and wanted to know what the heck I was playing at. Stop this immediately, it demanded, or I shall twinge at you. Shurrup said I, then carried on running, picking up pace again, slogging up a long incline, then trotting along faster as it descended again. Knee got it’s revenge at around 17k, as we were turning back into the city. It sent twinges up and down my left leg. By 18k it was really hurting. I picked up pace again and got my second wind as we turned into the parks. Briefly! Then began a battle of wills to keep going, as it was so stiff and painful. The crowning insult was the screen I passed with a message saying that that pain in the knee was just imagination. I would have taken a photo, but I didn’t think I would be able to get going again!
Mr IDS suddenly popped up 3-4 miles from the finish, rather startling in bright turquoise waterproof with his mop of ginger blonde going white hair. I was running so slowly by then that he was walking beside me. He peeled off then popped up again near the finish.
By the time I actually got to the finish, he was waiting for me and took a photo of me wearing my medal. My chip time was 3.26.09. My watch time was 3.22.45. For some reason the race plan finished before the race did. Mr IDS was tracking me with the app and said my predicted finish time halfway round was 2.45. He said it took me an hour to run the last three miles, which is why the time was so slow. but I ran the whole thing, no stopping or walking. I wasn't exhausted but my knee was!
The moment I stopped running, my knee was agony. It wouldn’t flex and I could hardly walk. Then I got the faintness and tightness in throat and chest that I got last year after the Blenheim 10k. I was fine while I was running, but when I stopped I was faint with speckly vision. There was a first aid tent near the finish, so I thought I had better go in. They got me to lie down, listened to my heart, checked my blood pressure and got me to take several puffs on an inhaler, asked my age, got me blankets (hands were white and numb with cold). Heart fine, blood pressure low, only 90/50. This happens to me: I’m fine when I’m running, but when I stop my very high active heart rate drops too quickly to my very low resting heart rate. They said I was fine and could go when I felt better. I asked why it had happened. You just ran 13 miles! said the doctor. And how old did you say you were? said the nurse. Anyway, they told me to rest for a few days.
Then we had to get a bus up to Mr IDS’s mum’s, which was the closest he was able to park. So a slow hobble to the bus stop about a quarter of a mile away. Though the knee did ease once I’d been walking for a while.
Would I do it again? Hell no! Will I do it again? Yep, I have my deferred half at Blenheim next September! I suspect the pain will fade and the enthusiasm will return before too long. I don’t think my knee would allow a full marathon though.
Now I’m well fed, bathed and warm and the knee is less painful and not nearly so swollen.
The whole thing felt and still feels like a dream. I thought I would notice the scenery and little facets of nature along the way, and I did, but they were like low notes, nothing with impact. I ran my race almost entirely alone in a strange pocket between much faster and much slower people. Runners I passed were mostly walking. Looking at the results online, a lot of people didn’t finish at all and a lot more were quite a bit slower than me.
A wonderful report, which has been much anticipated around these parts today. So pleased you did it. Hope that knee isn’t TOO painful. But what an incredible achievement. You are an inspiration to all of us!
I think my answer to you was rather brief yesterday after your lovely long response. Really sorry. I was a bit distracted yesterday: loads of phone calls, texts and emails plus Strava and Facebook as well as here. Runners are such lovely supportive people. But thank you again xxx
No apology needed Flick, you had a lot on your mind yesterday! How are you feeling today? Hopefully you’ve had a nice relaxing day and you’ve just been thinking about your fab run xxx
I haven’t left the house today! Mr IDS had to dog walk on his own. I have to say the knee swelling has gone down very quickly. It’s just beginning to sink in what I’ve done, and having said never again yesterday, I’m already plotting a better time for Blenheim half next year 😂 xxx
Lovely photo of you and your leggings, it really is a pity about your knee and the weather was unkind, at least the knee is healing, I apologise for the forecast I gave you on Friday, thinking it would only be a few light showers, not the heavy rain that soaked you, once again congratulations. 😊 🏃🏾 🎓
My weather app said heat rain. I think sometimes the ones for near where you live can be more accurate. Anyway , I don’t mind running in the rain. And you aren’t to blame for the weather x
Wonderful report Flick! Congratulations again, on an amazing achievement - your determination is an inspiration! How fantastic that our lovely Linda was there to support you too - another special lady!👍Rest up well now and bask in the glory, reading all the replies you will get to this post!👏👏👏🏅🙂xx
Thank you . I had to get round - even if it was in hands and knees (or possibly knee) but thankfully crawling wasn’t necessary. It’s funny but I don’t feel any sense of achievement. I think it’s because it was such a long race xx
I remember you saying that you had a great sense of achievement after running the Blenheim Palace 10K than the run you ran today, somebody else said that they also had a better sense of achievement running a 10K than running 10 miles or a HM, perhaps its part of the newness of running a 5k or 10K that feels good but by the time they get to HM the novelty of running has no longer got that sense of achievement that you had before.
I think It’s because Blenheim was so beautiful and I bettered my 10k time by ten minutes. Yesterday was tough. One of the pacers said in another group that his time was down because of the conditions. Lots of people saying they wouldn’t do Oxford again. It just wasn’t an enjoyable course
The weather had a lot to do with that, how are you feeling today? I hope you are recovering from yesterday, give yourself about a week off before you run again. 😊 🏃🏾
I really don’t mind running in bad weather - I lived in the Cotswolds. But the course was horrible, doubling back, especially at the finish, using the link road which is grim and not taking advantage of the beautiful city centre.
Knee much improved today. I slept well last night. I wasn’t massively tired by the race, just my knee. X
Thank you! Both legs just about managed it 😳 it was a shame about the weather. I don’t mind running in the rain, but Oxford is so beautiful and it didn’t look it’s best today
Yes, but you did it. You kept going, you crossed the finish line. No DNF for you! You're knee might have been balking at you, but you told it off and got it done! Great job. Now, definitely give yourself (and that pesky knee) a much needed break 😴
Wow. What a run, Flick! Congratulations! I am so so proud of you. Running long distance is as much about mental stamina as it is physical, and you really showed that you have what it takes. 👍 I am sorry that your pesky knee flared up - it took me right back to how I felt at 12k on my HM when my knee pain from ITB syndrome kicked in. (I wonder if you effed and sweared as much as I did?! 😂) You are made of strong stuff. 💪 And look fantastic (those long runner’s legs!) Great pictures. 😊
I was checking Strava on my phone every few minutes this morning at around your finish time - to the point at which my b/friend asked me if I was having an affair! 😂
Hope the knee settles down quickly. Enjoy a well deserved rest my lovely VBR. 😘
Aw thanks dearest Sadie. I didn’t egg and sweat but I did give the knee a stiff talking to. It answered me back! I think timer I have that MRI scan my GP suggested. I didn’t dare before the half in case ...
that’s so funny about you checking your phone!
I’m definitely resting up for a few days - boo, I want to be running xxx
PS: egg and sweat? What IS my autocorrect on!!! Eff and swear!!!
Well done, young Flick. You really are totally awesome. Brilliant write up, as always, and an epic run. I hope that knee soon feels better. Huge hug xx
Congratulations Flick!! 👏👏🍾🎉🏃🏽♀️ You are truly amazing and an inspiration to us all. Such determination & perseverance ( not too many elegance in Lycra!) despite the weather and knee niggles. Hope your knee feels better soon and you can treat yourself to some legitimate couch time with treats and a massage maybe? X
Ha ha! I would've spent on the Lycra too! Btw - autocorrect craziness - meant to put that you were elegance in Lycra!!) 😂 Hope your knee is improving. 🙂
Congratulations on completing the Oxford HM Flick, you are amazing. I hope you will be taking some time off on the couch now to rest your leg. You should feel very proud of yourself.
Good grief lady, YOU were the star of the show! I felt quite guilty leaving because I was cold and wet ... I was quietly rather relieved I couldn't run it today ... whereas you still had another 11 miles to splosh through. Pleased to read that Mr IDS did very well popping up 3 miles before the end and making the finish line too - hope he got a pat on the back 🤭. Hope you have a few days of quality rest and sumptuous treats lined up - you definitely deserve them. Wonderful achievement today, I hope you're feeling very proud and relaxed right now. Lovely to meet you and I feel very well prepared for next year 😂😘
Goodness, you went far beyond the call of duty. It was colder than it seemed. I didn't work up a sweat on the run and my hands were white and numb once I stopped. I shall come and support you next year and hold stuff while you go to the loo - if you want that is. At the very least i will wave and take photos.
Sumptuous treats? I scoffed a whole Papa John's vegan pizza yesterday, with the result that I must be the only person on the planet to run a half marathon and be two pounds heavier the next day - though fluid retention from the Tailwind might be partly to blame (it's happened before).
I'm actually looking forward to doing nothing today. and I don't feel anything much about the run yet except glad I don't have to do it again till next year (Blenheim) xx
The euphoria will surely come. I didn't realise my hands were cold until I came to unlock my bike - first I struggled to get my key out of my pocket then I simply couldn't turn the key, no movement in either of my hands to twist. It felt really bizarre but after a couple of minutes I managed it 😀. Here's to next year then 🙂
Lots of runners expressing online how horrible it was. I hope they change the course next year. It was awful the way it kept doubling back, especially at the end.
What a lovely report Flick! Congratulations on finishing, that is a great vindication of the training path you chose. And on such a really rotten weather day too, but then it is October - at least the rain wasn’t too cold!
Glad to hear the knee is calming down. Hope it heals quickly and that you are going to be spoilt rotten by everyone around you this week (and made to keep away from your running shoes!) 👏👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉
Thank you! It was quite cold when i stopped, I couldn't feel my hands or use them and they were white. but it certainly could have been colder, and I think being soaked to the skin and with very wet feet probably made me lose heat when |i stopped. I just wish I had managed the 2.40 ish time that I expected. at the moment my knee is good for a slow 10k and not much more, and it had to do twice that.
Yes, I can relate to that. You keep warm on the adrenaline once you stop but then, if you’re wet, it creeps in. I had my gloves on and someone commented before we started that it seemed a bit extreme but they stopped my fingers turning white. The warmth goes quite quickly once it gets started doesn’t it.
You did it, that’s what matters, never mind the time, despite the knee! 🤗
Aw thanks Floss! The knee is a problem and really doesn't want to do more than 10 or 12 k this year. My pace has dropped 2mins/km since I injured it - or rather aggravated the existing old injury - earlier this year. But tis done! xxx
I like the HM distance... ( definitely built for distance not speed) and am really looking forward to the Monsal trail again in March, ( hint, hint ...and 10 miles is a perfect run too...but on a weekly basis, 10 K is the run of choice for me.
I can't think of anything to say that isn't here already. So ditto! Thank you for the inspiration. Glad you got the bling. And enjoy basking in the glow of success!
What a beautiful write up Flick. You ran a half marathon! And with your knee hurting too! It was such a very wet day, almost comical how much rain came down. I love that you ran the whole way and I'm impressed you stayed in zone 3 and 4! I was impressed by the volume of people running and the support on offer in the rain. It is an odd experience being a spectator rather than the runner, but every time we saw you, you looked strong. The training worked! I totally believe you could do a marathon if your knee was okay. You have the mental strength needed to push through! But for now enjoy being warm and dry and celebrate that you ran a half on what must have been one of Oxford's wettest days! Xx
Thank you lovely. Your support and the fact you were doing the same (ish) training really helped me through the months of preparation. I wish I'd seen you. I did see Mic's niece, an old next door neighbour from 20 years ago (she was a student then) and someone who recognised me from when we walked the dogs in Oxford. I think I could do a marathon too if it weren't for the knee, as I wasn't particularly tired in myself, but my knee couldn't, not ever I don't think - it was too badly damaged in my youth. Never mind, I'm going to give it a good rest then not stress it for a few months xx
Congratulations! I’m sorry that the knee flared up but great that you run it all and can recuperate now. It was very exciting to see you on the tracker. You can be very proud!
Yes I’m sure that was frustrating but you ran a hm and kept a regular pace around. If you had been injury free maybe you would have gone off to fast and had to walk some. Maybe not but at least you completed it nicely. There is always a next time!
Thank you! I could have kept running if the knee hadn't flared up, I wasn't tired, but the fact the knee was so painful and swollen meant I couldn't do a brisk post run walk, with the consequence my heart rate didn't equalise gradually, then whoomph, low blood pressure and faintness! Next time I shall carry my inhaler too to prevent the throat closing up
Never a doubt Flick. You are a total inspiration. How you ran that far in pain is a mystery to me, it just shows how strong you are! All that training paid off! ❤️
You are incredible! Well done you amazing lady. 🏃♀️🏅🎉
Congratulations Flick you did it! You’re amazing and an inspiration! Enjoyed reading your race report, hope your knee is feeling better soon. 🏃♀️👏👏👏🦵💐
Lovely report Flick ☺️Huge congratulations- hope the knee gets better soon. And Linda-well that just sums up ‘running community’ for me. Wonderful story! xxx
Massive congratulations Flick 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I hope that you are now starting to feel proud of yourself and to realise just what a fantastic achievement it was yesterday. Take a few days off, rest your knee, you deserve a bit of pamper time xxx
Thank you. I think the fact it was such a horrible day and course has stopped me feeling pleased. Loads of people online today saying they never want to do Oxford again xx
An amazing race, a fabulous report, I'm just blown away by your utter determination and dedication to it. You've trained so well. You TOTALLY earned that bling!! Very well done 👏👏👏🥇🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Hidden
Thank you lovely. I was disappointed the knee extended my time, but a lots of people on running groups have been saying they hated the race and/or they were slower than usual xx
Well done Flick, i was also there and am so thankful to the community here... the organisers of the event did an amazing job.... so much music, water, everything you could think of all along the way....
Did you run it? Would love to read your report if you did. i found the course quite demoralising (I'm not the only one it seems). It used to follow a much nicer route. All that doubling back at start and finish was a killer
Hello Flick, well done you. Huge Respect for your achievement.. what you have done is incredible. Re my race, this is my 1st HM. I had no expectations about the course and only thing I was told was that the route is flat which i am happy about.. otherwise I was just glad to be part of an amazing event... it was so inspiring
Hated it because of the weather or more? I know it didn't get great reviews the previous year. Maybe I should just write off my entry and not bother deferring!
Was reading backwards, but I now see the course was part of the issue. GSR had quite a lot of looping and I didn't like it. But it must've been good grounding, cos then the looping in LLHM didn't bother me (although I did have my son to look out for so that probably helped).
On a beautiful day it probably wouldn’t have mattered as much. The joggier pacer responded to me in Lonely Goat Club Facebook page. He said it was very tough conditions and he couldn’t get the time he should have. His predicted time was 2.45, which was what I expected to do it in before my knee got worse last month
I'm not surprised. As a spectator it really did look miserable. Wet soggy trainers are not easy to run in and cold and wet will surely slow anyone down over that distance - despite your positivity yesterday about the weather, I believe it will have had a big impact on the majority of runners.
Wow - talk about grim determination! I'm pretty sure the flare-up at 17k would have DNF'd me, assuming I hadn't been sensible and stopped with the first signs at 13k. And for your running future, you should probably have been sensible too, and you probably know that, and I know exactly why you weren't ……. we're all running fools to some extent
But it's absolutely key that you give that knee a serious rest now, and stop immediately it suggests you should when you start winding up again - even if that's 100m from a Parkrun PB
😂😂😂 thank you! That gave me a well needed chuckle. There was no way I was going to give up, even if I had to crawl round in hands and knees. I guess I’m a bit blasé about my knee as it has been doing this to a greater or lesser extent for over 50 years. I remember going on a trampoline in my 30s with a similar result to yesterday. But I shall rest it till the swelling goes right down then do some tentative short runs. 😊❤️
I was looking at all of the posts yesterday and willing you on with the rest of the gang although I didn’t post myself.
I was going to get to running half marathon distance myself but I had got to 14K then the next week had a melt down saying I’m giving up running.
But thanks to the inspiration of everyone on here including you I’m back running again.Also I have an iffy knee problem it took me a year to get over it 2 years ago.
Finally done my first 10K this morning in the rain.( after my meltdown)
I’m entered for a 10K next Sunday so maybe next year a half marathon.
Enjoy your post run glow of satisfaction and look after that knee.
And also got to mention the lovely Linda well done girl.
Amazing. I am in awe and so thrilled for you. Huge shout out to Linda too for wonderful work. I hope you are feeling proud, rested and glowing. Please take care of that knee and bask in your achievement.
Thank you. It still hasn’t hit me - partly because the race was pretty grim, what with the awful weather and the constant looping back of the course at start and finish. Yesterday I said never again. Today in steady plotting my training for Blenheim half next autumn 😂😂😂
Hidden , you are just amazing...I love love LOVE your photos...I love the fact that you’re already lined up for Blenheim...you are like real life Wonder Woman, you should be so proud of yourself...you have got guts girl to keep going and working through that painful knee...thank god you were ok when you got in the tent? I was reading this bit on the edge of my seat! If I lived closer I would def have been at the finish line with some of my banana loaf and a great big cheer...well done Flick, you are my hero xxxx
That’s such a lovely response to my post. Thank you! I’m doing Blenheim next year because I had to defer it because of the knee. It would have been this September. It’s a very hilly course but really magical and beautiful.
What I did you could do. Really. Believe in yourself xxx
Well done Flick. That seemingly complicated heart rate training seems to have paid off, despite the knee.
They built them tough in 1946 - or was it 1947?
A query - following your adventures I bought a pair of On Running shoes, the basic model. They have now done nearly 500 miles, successfully, but are a bit sloppy now. What model of On would you recommend now?
Thank you. I’m impressed with the training plan. I was January 1947 btw. I have the Cloudflyers the Cloudsurfers and the Cloudventure Peak trail shoes. But you need to try for yourself. I have a neutral gait and medium arches, so what suits me may not be for you.
I thought I’d posted here too, but it’s hard to keep up with Strava and everything! Many congratulations Flick - you should be proud of having the grit to carry on to the finish with your troublesome knee.
I wonder if your faintness immediately afterwards was partly from lack of nourishment? Maybe next time get Mr IDS to be on hand with some quick calories at the finish line?
No the faintness wasn’t that. I had a litre of Tailwind with me and ate two nak’d bars on the way round - they are nut and fruit based. The staff in the first aid tent seemed to think it was the big gap I have between resting and active hr. plus breathing - they got me to use an inhaler. If I had been able to keep walking when I finished the race, I would have been ok, but the moment I stopped running my knee seized up completely, so I couldn’t keep moving
Huge Congratulations to you Flick. So much gumption on show here, you were determined to run this HM and you bloomin' did it despite the knee pain and shocking weather. 💪🌟
That was so brave of you, and I hope you are beginning to realise exactly what you achieved... You ran the whole thing too.
Shout out to Linda too, such a lovely supportive friend, I'm sure it helped having her with you at the start.
You deserve some rest now, and some pampering.. You awesome lady. 😊👏👏👏xxx
You are so lovely! It wasn’t the best one to do for a first, especially with the weather, but I’m actually overcoming my disappointment that my time was curtailed by injury and beginning to realise what I just managed to do. Quite a lot of people didn’t finish.
Linda was amazing. Mic couldn’t come with me as we couldn’t leave the dogs for hours on end, and he had to walk them first thing, so it was lovely to have someone with me at the start. It made all the difference. Are you listening linda9389 ???xxx
I’ve followed your posts since C25k, I think we started about the same time, and you’ve been a great inspiration to me ... but I still haven’t run a HM.
Hope you’re recovering nicely, you certainly deserve a good rest.
(Sorry my reply is late I’m only just catching up with this week’s posts.)
I haven’t seen you for ages!!! And thank you 😊 I’ve been resting since pretty much - I didn’t leave the house for two days. I’m aiming for a test the waters run on Sunday or Monday. The fatigue from the race hit me two or three days later - bone deep - and I thought it was because I’m ancient; but people on various running forums have been saying they were tired too, so I guess it’s what happens xx
I am so sorry that I have not been around very much and have not replied to your lovely posts for ages. So while I have been away, you have clearly been in training. Well done to you! Many congratulations! 🍾🥂🏅🏃♀️🤸♂️🏃♀️🤸♂️🏃♀️🤸♂️👏🏻👍🌟 💥⚡️🎉😊🏁
I am so sorry that the weather wasn't good, I'm sure that with that sort of weather I would have chosen not to turn up at all! And I am also sorry that your knee gave you serious pain. How amazing that you pushed through to the finish!
I do hope the reality of what you have done is beginning to sink in and that you are able to walk again! Just amazing! Well done to you! 😊🌸
Lovely to see you on here, and many thanks for your response. The knee is more or less ok now, just the occasional twinge, but the half marathon wiped out my energy - I didn’t realise till a few days later. So no runs for a week and short runs now xxx
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