Well...it was only a race for the elites who started at 9am I think. For the rest of us mere mortals who started in waves from 9.30am onwards I think it was more a war of attrition. However, both I and Katnap survived to race another day which I'm pretty amazed at and am still coming down from the buzz.
The day was a scorcher from the start. Strava says 22°C but it definitely got hotter as the race progressed. My call for help on here a few days back gave me the perfect preparation I think. I had my new hat, soaked my hair and tucked it under, soaked a buff and put it round my neck (and turned it occasionally when I wanted a cool bit), froze my soft bottles which defrosted nicely as the miles ticked by and just kept hydrated. Every spectator with a hosepipe I dived straight in and got a good soaking and every water station I chucked the water over my head, body, wherever needed it. So, thank you everyone, I think this is the best prepared I've ever been for a run.
And what a difference racing on the road is to what we have all worked with this past 16 months. Spectators make such a difference. Halfway at the village of Radway I was at my hottest and was starting to feel a bit peculiar, I thought 'uh..oh, still got a while to go, can I do it? Tummy doesn't think so.' But as we got into the village there was cheering and hosepipes, ice lollies and just such an amazing atmosphere, I picked up my feet and kept going. Once we got back into Kineton I knew I was going to make it, despite the widely promoted 'sting in the tail' hill at the end.
The thing about that hill was that we'd already climbed it at the start, so it wasn't that much of a sting. I had so much adrenaline in me by then that tiredness wasn't a problem and I ran and walked it where needed. Running back into the grounds of Compton Verney my head did it's usual thing of telling me not to forget the hill to get to the finish, so I walked a little again. However, again, I was spurred on by someone telling me to go for a sprint finish...and I did...😱 I was absolutely buzzing at the end! Oh yes, and my time... just a smidgen under 2.5 hours (Katnap was just over 2.25 hours) which I'm pretty pleased with considering there was a lot of Jeffing.
Took a while to catch up with Katnap as he'd gone to get the freezer bag full of cold water, frozen towels and peanuts. They were very welcome as we collapsed on the grass, clapping the other runners coming in and watching the buzzards and dragonflies enjoying the thermals in the bright blue sky.
Oldest kitten did some marshalling at Kineton and said there were a few people who'd had to stop or were struggling. No surprise really. A big thank you goes out to all the marshals who stood and helped us out in those conditions. Back at the car it read 30°C 🥵
I'd happily run it again, but maybe I've gone slightly mad in the heat! Katnap has other ideas... Thank you all for your support, particularly to Sandie1961 , shakesandrun and cheekychipmunks who were with us in spirit today. I'm so glad I didn't defer 👍
Written by
TailChaser
Marathon
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I’m absolutely buzzing on your behalf TC and Katnap! I know how apprehensive you were and I don’t blame you! You made it. It’s miles and miles and miles and you didn’t bail. How amazing is that? A real race with a real medal too. Woohooooooo! 🥰🏅🏃♀️🏃♂️ 🎉🥵
Oh, you guys helped me out today too. I almost expired doing my HM Plan 8 miles this morning. No shade, virtually no water (my bottle spout malfunctioned and I could only get a drop at a time .. 🙄) I felt like bailing but I knew what you guys were up against and I soldiered on to complete it. So thank YOU! ❤️
So much this! I kept wondering how you and Katnap were getting on TailChaser , and every time it got tough I found myself thinking "HU VRBs, HU pompoms!" Doubt I'd have managed in your heat though.
And I was thinking of you too Cmoi, of your mountainous terrain compared to our relatively piddly hill. I couldn’t have managed the heat without the advice I got on here.
Thanks BC! 🤗 I think the villagers were very pleased to see us back (it’s been going a few years apparently). A little bit more of normality (🤔?!) creeping back.
Wow, amazing run in that heat - you did so well, and wonderful time too!! I really do not like running in the hot weather so no summer events for me 🥵😅
I think you get used to running in all weathers after a while Sue. You just have to dress and/or prepare appropriately, as long as you’re feeling fit and able. One day you might do what I did and enter a race that you really didn’t think through and it’s either drop out or give it a go. I hate giving in, but this was the closest I’ve got. Thanks to HU I gave it a go 👍
I’ve been thinking of you two all day 🙂 You’re both superstars, running any distance in this heat is hard so a huge hats off to you for doing a HM! Great run report TC and your bling looks amazing 👍
Now, never mind the running….. how was the ice cold beer…..??? 🍻
Huge Congratulations to both you and Katnap, TC. When the going gets tough and all that!🏃♂️🏃♀️Absolute warriors and superstars rolled into one!😍🏅🏅👏👏👏xxx
Cucumber central here ☺️ I need a machete to get in and out the greenhouse. Pickled uns are refreshing at the mo. Those tiny cornichons, or just as they come 🙂
You two are are just so amazing . Very, very well done to you both running an HM in that heat. Oldgirlruns and I did think about you as we swam in the sea today. I’m glad to hear that you got cooled off as you went through the villages.
Tell me, what is the significance of the lobster on your bling? 🦞🏅🏃♀️🏃♂️🌞🔥
Thanks Dexy! That sounds a much nicer way to spend your time. I suppose it does look like a lobster 😁 No, it’s a scorpion…because the race has a sting in its tail! It’s really cool, especially as it’s my star sign ☺️
Huge congratulations to both of you - what a day to be running that distance! I got as far as the beach with Dexy5- a whole 10 minutes walk away! I love your bling - I’m sure you’ll wear it with pride! Well done!
I know OG, I think we all thought that 🤣 Thank you, this medal and my first HM medal are the ones I have most pride in I think. Your beach visit with Dexy sounds a much nicer way to spend the day though 😍
I thought of you both yesterday as I was having my morning coffee thinking “blimey I hope they’re going to be ok in this heat.” I’ve run in the Middle East and the heat is like an energy sponge. The advice you got here is exactly right. I missed your post or I would have commented. Anyway, super race report, super run, and you both made it to the end safely!! Flipping well done! 👏👏👏🙌💪
Thanks Brian 👍, I couldn’t have done it without that advice. I felt amazing at the end and last night I was happily going up and downstairs without any problems. The complete opposite of the stinking hot Cheltenham 10k where I could hardly move in the evening. Didn’t want to go through that again. The exposed parts of the run though were really tough, probably a little like the Middle East conditions as the sun bounced off the tarmac. There were some lovely tree covered parts to make up for it. Warwickshire can be really beautiful. The bling was a very big incentive. I’ve never been intimidated by a medal before 😂
Absolutely amazing 🥳🙌👏 You both did brilliantly and so well deserved. It sounds daunting and completely exhilarating at the same time. Massive congratulations xx
Thanks Sandie 🤗 That’s exactly what it was like Sandie! First proper challenge since I did my first HM last April. Just how I like it, even if I did feel scared stiff last week!! 😀👍
Thanks GOG 😍 It’s amazing what your body can do when you push it. I bet your raspberries were delicious though - we had summer pudding as a treat last night, yum, my favourite pud 😋
Fantastic report, TC. Sounds like you did pretty well to get through that, and I’m really impressed with how you handled the heat. Started to get a bit worried about this for my HM on 1st August. Hope you have fully recovered now.
Thanks Stephen 👍The advice on here was brilliant Stephen. Keep hydrated, keep your electrolytes up, where a hat, wear a damp buff around your neck, freeze your hydration packs and let them defrost as you go, run in the shade where you can and try to get a regular dowsing from a hose, water bottle, whatever. I think they were the most important things I learnt on here and as I went along. Preparation is key. Good luck with your run. If I can do it, I’m sure you can 💪🤞👍
Fantastic work, well done to you both particularly in that heat, though it sounds like the good HU advice paid off. I think on balance I'm glad I'm running my HM in November...
So pleased that you not only survived to tell the tale but that you also enjoyed it. I was thinking of you in the heat on Sunday, I struggled to even do some gentle walking!
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