Hot HM in Copenhagen & bodies everywhere 🥵

[Teresa1632]

There are a series of Half Marathons called Superhalfs, held in cities across Europe. Copenhagen was on the list, so I entered. (Its an amazing city, well worth going to).Anyway, the run was yesterday in 23° heat. There was a mix up at the start, and I ended up near the front in what appeared to be a mass start. OMG!! The amount of pushing and shoving that went on! Normally, you expect the field to thin out around mile 2. It didn't. So, I ran the first 2 miles at my 5k pace, as I was worried about being trampled if I slowed down. Couldn’t even get a space near the barrier, as runners carved through 😱

Water and energy stops were good, but another shoving match! Due to the heat, I had taken salt tablets and was also taking on more water than usual, the sun was unrelenting. 🥵

At mile 9, a runner collapsed in front of me, and there were others getting medical attention at the side of the road. From there until the finish, there were bodies all along the route. One poor man collapsed at 21k. Only .04 to go, and he didn't make it. (Hope he got a medal)😱

After mile 9, I panicked at the number of casualties and slowed right down, finishing my slowest HM ever. But still upright.

Despite sunblock, my face was even more tomato like than usual, and the tops of shoulders are red. (Handy tip: put a thin smear of vaseline across your eyebrows and the sides of your eyes, it stops the sweat getting into your eyes, it worked extra hard yesterday.)

What an experience though. And the medal is beautiful. Cardiff is next, in two weeks time. I'd say it will be cooler!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Gosh that sounds brutal Teresa, and I’m so relieved you made it round in one piece. I hope all the casualties made a full recovery, and that man who collapsed right at the end was awarded his very well earned medal. 🤞

I’m running in Cardiff too. Hope it stays grey and dank! 😅

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I'm ordering 16°, partly cloudy, part sun and a nice tailwind all the way round 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Teresa1632]

I’ll take that happily! 🙏

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Gosh that does sound hot! You did well to finish in one piece red face and all 🥵 Well done. And what a fab looking bit of bling!

Let’s hope all those poor runners recovered well and are ok.

Good luck for Cardiff and cooler days 🤞

[Health2020]

Congratulations on finishing especially in the heat. I’m hoping to do my first half next year, have you got any recommendations on which races might be good for a newbie half. X

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to Health2020]

It's hard to say. I'd look for one with a flat course and a good crowd to cheer you on. I love Belfast, it is a brilliant HM. Dublin good too, as was Galway. In England, my friend loved the London Landmarks half. And the Great North run was completed by another friend, she loved it.Overall, look for flat courses and a good crowd

[Health2020 in reply to Teresa1632]

Thank you for the suggestions.

Good luck with your running.

[Hidden in reply to Health2020]

Hi Health 2020 Brighton Half Marathon is flat and has a great crowd, good luck on your first HM 👍

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Such a hard run, you certainly deserve that medal and it's a real beauty. I'm glad you made it to the end, heat and shoving....not a good combination.

[Hidden]

Congratulations on finishing, that sounds like a tough race!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Wow what an experience! Hope Cardiff is cooler - it wasn't cool last year! However it sounds like it was a lot more controlled than your Copenhagen one so hope you enjoy it!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

That sounds a real experience, well done on completing the HM, congratulations! 😊x

[misswobble Marathon]

Well done Teresa! That sounds really tough so hats off to you for getting it done! 💪😀🏅🏃‍♀️👍🍰

When conditions are unfavourable our training pays off 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Wow that sounds gruelling. Huge well done to you, both for finishing and for being sensible too - that's not easy 👏

[Teresa1632 Marathon in reply to linda9389]

The fear of being knocked over kept me running quicker than I wanted to, an 8:47min/mile was too fast for my old legs to maintain for 13 miles. Still, despite stopping to help someone, and the panicky mile walk afterwards, I was pleased to finish in the top 1/3 of the field. (My slowest ever though) 🥵

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Teresa1632]

That's fabulous!!!