Hackney Half Marathon Done!

[Dodgylungs]

After two weeks of hardly any running since running a half marathon on the treadmill, I went into the main event concerned about my fitness and various injuries. All I’m going to say is that it’s the hardest run I’ve ever done but I completed it.

On a beautiful warm day, cramp threatened to ruin my day as it kicked in from around 7K. The run was torture at times but the cheers and generosity of the crowd and other runners, especially on the home straight, spurred me on to the end.

I realised about 2 miles from home that my right hand was swollen and once I crossed the finishing line I went straight into the medical tent but it turned out I’d banged it in my rush to get back from my brother’s wedding in Newmarket yesterday. I was his best man and I remembered I whacked my hand on the car door in my hurry to get back and get enough sleep before the big day.

Today was an amazing occasion (as was yesterday) and all of the gazebos and food stalls on Hackney Marshes made it feel like a rock concert. There were thousands of entrants and though my group started late, I really enjoyed the occasion. As the race started there was an immediate incline which sapped my energy and I felt like Anthony Joshua for the rest of the run: beaten up! But I did it and it feels good.

All things considered I’m pretty chuffed with myself.

[Instructor57]

Congratulations 😁👍Especially after a 2 week break !

Well done 🎉🎉🎉

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you! Yeah it wasn’t ideal!!

[Lookslikejames Marathon]

Nice one, well done! 🎉🍾

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Lookslikejames]

Thank you!

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

All things considered…so you should be!😀👏👏Really well done! I’ve heard good things about the Hackney HM and bet you are glad you pushed on to the end - that bling looks fab!🙂

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

I’m so glad I did too but there were times where the cramp was so bad I could hardly walk, let alone run! Hardest physical challenge ever!

[Cmoi Marathon]

Well done Dodgylungs !

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you!

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Congratulations 🎈🎉🍾 i’ve read of some of your struggles and you’ve done amazingly well

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you very much!

[Mormor1 Half Marathon]

Really, really good going.

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Mormor1]

Thank you!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Fabulous news Dodgy! You’ve worked so hard for this, and you deserve to feel proud! Great happy photo too. ⭐️🏃‍♂️👏🏅👊

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you!

[GoGo_JoJo Ultramarathon]

Fabulous! Well done 👍🏻😁🎖

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you. I feel good helping Macmillan.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

That's fantastic news DL!!! So pleased you made it through after all your trials and tribulations and doubts. Such determination. I hope you feel very proud of yourself. Congratulations!!!

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Thank you very much. I do feel very proud of the achievement and money raised for charity. I will have to take a break from outdoor running for a bit until I’ve had my hernia op. I’ll continue on the treadmill (may even chuck in the odd slow 21K on there) but I need to address my diet and other niggles before coming back to outdoor long distance running.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Dodgylungs]

Don't forget you can do short easy runs now - you're free! You may enjoy the odd short easy excursion outdoors to break up the treadmill stuff. You don't need to remain at 21k fitness. Have some fun for a bit and then build it back up next time you have your sights set on a half!

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yes very true. I’ve discovered that 21K treadmill fitness is not the same as 21K outdoors but part of me wants to be able to run it when the mood takes me and maybe get my time a bit quicker on the treadmill. The faster time is probably dependent on having that op though.

[RunWillie Marathon]

Well done Dodgylungs 👍🏻

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Thank you

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Congratulations and well done 👍 Especially after all your setbacks and challenges! You must be feeling mightily pleased and proud.

Loving the look of that medal too 🏅🙂

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Ah thank you! Yes I’m pretty happy with everything today. Now to get my injuries sorted and see where I’m at with running.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dodgylungs]

How are you feeling today?

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Not too bad considering thank you. My heel was sore yesterday but that’s eased today. I’m a bit stiff and achy but overall I’m feeling good. I’m going to switch to the treadmill for a bit and then see what’s what. How are you doing?

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dodgylungs]

Sounds good. Have you decided on the next goal?

I’m great thanks. First week recovery after the Bristol HM so slow, short runs for me which are just lovely 👍

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Well done on the Bristol HM. How was it? I loved the Hackney Half. Such a wonderful day. I think I’m going to aim for another half marathon at some point. I didn’t feel as fit as I was hoping, but that’s probably due to not being able to train for two weeks. I’m going to get my groin issues sorted and then start training again after all of that. In the meantime I’ll do three days a week of gentle short distance training. Might chuck in the odd treadmill long distance run and see how I go.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dodgylungs]

Bristol was fab, always a great atmosphere with bands along the route 🤗

I hope you get the groin issue sorted out, then you can focus on the running thing 🤞

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Sounds like the Hackney Half. Lots of bands and people cheering! I’m waiting to hear about a hospital visit to the consultant so will see how it all plays out. I’ve probably had the hernias for years, but it will be nice to get them seen to and resume pounding the pavements.

[RunBrianRun Half Marathon]

Congratulations and well done for completing the HM! 👏👏👏

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thank you!

[HeavyFoot Half Marathon]

Amazing stuff, DL. Well done!!!

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to HeavyFoot]

Thank you!

[Mittymoo]

So chuffed for you. Absolutely brilliant

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Mittymoo]

Thank you!

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Congratulations on completing your Hackney Half marathon, well done 😀 🏃🏾

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you!

[colinla 10 Miles]

Well done on completing the half marathon. Great achievement 👍

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to colinla]

Thank you!

[misswobble Marathon]

Well done Dodge! 👍😃🏃‍♂️🏅

I hope you’re feeling ok. Take care of that bod 💪👍🙂

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thank you!

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Congrats Dodgylungs, great achievement, especially with the issues you've had to deal with. It being a warm day can't have helped either (although I do find that running in sunshine gives me a boost).

Have you tried an electrolyte drink to help with muscle cramps?

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

Thank you!! They told me that cramp is more of an issue in the heat. Apparently lots of people were suffering. I put a dehydration tablet in my water. I’ll start looking at electrolyte drinks. What do you recommend?

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon in reply to Dodgylungs]

I use Active Root Electrolyte, mainly because I wanted to avoid artificial sweeteners and wanted something that wasn't too sugary. Tastes like flat ginger beer which I find is OK.

For fuel, I'm using Chi Charge flapjacks (which include electrolytes i.e. salt).

That combination and perhaps my stretching prevents any muscle cramp (it tended to affect me in the middle of the night).

I'd say it's worth trying those but the best approach is to experiment on your training runs to find what works for you.

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

I’m really suffering with cramp so I started yoga today. I think my back, hamstrings and calves are all tight, so will see if the yoga makes any difference. I’ll look into those products, thanks.

[Dups Half Marathon]

Congratulations! Massive achievement 👏👏👏especially after injuries. I do agree the crowds get you round when it’s really tough. Well done 👍🏻

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Dups]

Thank you and congrats on your Great North Run!

[Frenc Half Marathon]

That’s just brilliant! That’s a cool looking medal 🏅. Well done you!

[Dodgylungs Half Marathon in reply to Frenc]

Thank you! Yeah, I love the bling 😂