So today I ran a half marathon as preparation for the Hackney Half on May 22nd. It’s only my third ever HM and my second ever outdoors. My first HM was on the treadmill and my second one the Hackney Half last year, where I Jeffed from 7K onwards due to cramp. This time I kept going until 15K. Then I had to walk/run the last 6K and the last 2k was mainly walking as the cramp kicked in again.
However, this time the cramp happened a lot later and I was delighted with how I ran that first 10 miles. The last 3 miles were more difficult and then the last mile was agony on my calves. Nevertheless, I am delighted to have achieved the distance and the major difference here was I finally felt my legs had some fitness in them. I also ran it alot slower and yet obliterated my outdoor personal best by 29 minutes (which wasn’t difficult as I walked much of the Hackney Half last year) and was only 11 minutes slower than my treadmill time.
The very pleasing thing is that I’m still running with a double groin hernia which was very uncomfortable at the end. Even so, I think if I can stave off cramp in the event this year, I am capable of running under 3 hours. My ideal time would be 2:45 and think I’m well capable of that. Once my hernia is fixed and my fitness continues I see no reason why I couldn’t do 2:30. That’s my eventual aim but I need an op and more running in my legs before that happens.
The best bit was stuffing my face afterwards to replace those 2,000 calories. I had a full English and a dessert. Oh yes I did!!
Written by
Dodgylungs
Half Marathon
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That's a fantastic run and must be a massive psychological boost. You've definitely got this. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids, ideally with some salt/electrolyte content to help stave off those cramps.
Thank you! I always was drinking plenty of fluids. I think my legs are just more used to the distance plus I ran slower. Really strange but for 13K I felt better than I’ve ever felt outdoors. Up to 15K my legs went back to feeling heavy and then the last 6K I went from heavy legs to cramp and close to immobility. But I know I can run 15K in relative comfort. Also, there were hundreds of cars parked with people blocking the streets on their way to the mosque and zoo. Normally I would be angry but I was in such a zen place. I just listened to the commentary of the NRC app and then accepted the jeffing for 4K and walking completely the last 1K. My legs were completely cramped up but that was only for the last bit. I also have a massage gun now and I’m doing more stretching and trying to look after myself. I think what it’s really down to is simply having done more of it than the first time and crucially kept the pace slow to begin. I do feel that if my hernia was fixed and the cramp stayed away, eventually I could obliterate that time. Today was my best day distance running
I’m so relieved to finally feel something approaching comfort for the first 10 miles. Been a long time coming. I did have one thought. I stopped taking my blood pressure pills a couple of weeks ago as my blood pressure has been dropping due to all the exercise. I wonder whether cramp is a side effect of those? That would explain a lot if it was!!
Just found this online about blood pressure meds: “Weakness, leg cramps, or fatigue. Diuretics may decrease the body's levels of the mineral potassium, which can lead to these side effects. Certain potassium-sparing diuretics do not have this effect, however.” I think that’s been the problem. Going to speak to my doctor.
That’s brilliant Dodgylungs ! Well done 😁. You must be over the moon at such a great run - and I completely understand you had to replenish all those calories 🤣.
Thank you. Yes, it’s so amazing. I’m really happy. The replenishing was essential. It would have been negligent not to have a full English after such exertion 😂
That's interesting about the calories burned. According to my watch, my three hour session yesterday burned 1800 Calories. The calories per hour figures are almost the same as yours.
Thank you. I’m so pleased that my legs actually felt like they had running in them. I think my blood pressure medication may have been slowing me down. I’m going to stay off it (assuming my BP doesn’t suddenly shoot up) until after the Hackney Half and see what difference it makes on the big day!
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