This started well, and I was really enjoying it, but then we ran around John's College at around 10K, which was all gravel paths and that just sucked all the strength out of my legs. A friend who also ran said the same thing. I couldn't really get going again, so went to my faithful run/walk. Most of the long loop out in the sticks was gently uphill and quite lonely! There was a pack of us all at about the same pace, so we kept each other company. The town parts were great, we did King's, Trinity, John's, and Jesus colleges, and the support was good from volunteers and public.
I had been hoping for 3 hours, but it wasn't to be. My hip started aching at about 10K and the opposite knee came to join the fun, I must change my gait I suppose. Cramp in both legs on the final KM. I still enjoyed it in a masochistic way! I picked up a bit in the last few KMs and passed a lot of the runners in front of me - I didn't finish last!
The weather was fine, bit chilly to start, partly sunny, couldn't be better really.
I was hoping to break 3 hours, in my dreams 2:50 - my finish time was 3:14, not what I'd hoped for, but I did it! Oh, and me and a friend raised £200 for MacMillan Cancer Support.
Written by
Curlygurly2
Half Marathon
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Congratulations to you Curlygurly2 on completing the Cambridge Half marathon and raising £200 for MacMillian Cancer Support, sorry about your hip aching at 10K but you persevered to continue with the run and completed it, lovely photo of you, you look very happy 😊.
Thank you AlMorr. The physio told me I wasn't to do any more high impact exercise like running, but what do they know? Generally I find running helps, but it's a bit of a wild card (joker!)
I certainly did enjoy it, my face hurt from smiling!
Thank you. It wasn't quite what I'd hoped but I did my best. Lots of people said the same about the gravel, so perhaps next year they'll think again.
Did you follow the tracking? My husband said it only updated at 5, 10, 15, and 20K, with no map. In previous years he could acgtually watch me progress - although one year I ran backwards to eterborough apparently!
No it wasn't deep, but with my hypothryoidism I really don't have much in the tank, and it just took all I had. I usually run on the very good paths around the commons, sometimes on pavements. Lots of people said the same thing, must be some kind of weird Cambridge gravel!!
And, no, I've had a niggle in my hip for some years, diagnosed with osteoarthritis 18 months ago, and told not to run any more...Thyroid problems exacerbate joint pain don't they? It won't stop me ha ha!!
They have increased my dose twice since I met you in August, they seem to eke it out slowly. I'm on 100 three days a week, and 125 four, with another test in a few weeks. I'm ok most of the time, but have a small "tank" for exercise. Strangely sometimes walking exhausts me more than running. I still have random dreadful days, and hope they will give me a bit more Levo soon.
it's very frustrating, I wish I was better, but I suspect this is as good as it gets.
Back in 2016 I'd been feeling lethargic for a few months but had put it down to other factors. Then I "greyed out" during a meeting at work and asked for my colleagues to call for an ambulance.
It appears that the TSH feedback loop was oscillating and the thyroid hormone levels were rising and crashing.
The dosage was gradually increased in 25µg steps over many months.
At the moment things seem stable and recent blood tests have levels in the normal range. I've only missed a dose once. I started feeling things going weird by the late afternoon. (A feeling like the energy draining away like a sink emptying.)
I had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and a goitre for many years that my GP ignored, as my THS was "normal". I asked at ENT at the hospital to have it checked, and they said it was very weird, hugely enlarged on one side, with hundreds of nodules. A biopsy couldn't rule out cancer, so they performed a hemithyroidectomy. The remaining portion didn't pick up the slack, although to be honest I have suffered fatigue ever since the radiotherapy for my breast cancer..most people get over that, I didn't. My GP says THS is normal at 5.1, the hospital has given me a target of 0.5 - 2.5. No wonder the GP didn't help, they are not singing from the same hymn sheet.
My feeling is the rads tipped my thyroid over the edge, but no way to prove that. I know exactly what you mean about a sink emptying...I try to stay positive and keep running but but it's hard...
I've only recently got access to test results in the NHS app.
According to the test taken in late November, my TSH is 1.95mU/L, just below the middle of the "normal range" of 0.35 to 5.50.
My instinct as a non-medical person would be to try to keep someone with a history of hypothyroidism towards the middle of any normal range, rather than close to any of its edges.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is the agent in the feedback loop between the thyroid and the pituitary. Such a higher figure for TSH suggests the level isn't at one the pituitary is totally content with. Your GP probably hasn't any tests showing what your baseline levels were before the Hashimoto's.
GP is saying 5.1 is high but normal, but the consultant would prefer it to be closer to the middle of the range.
Yes, absolutely. the GP only started testing when I presented with the goitre, at that point I think I had a level of 2.5 - ish. They knew I had an auto-immune disease but said it didn't need treating, of course that was before my surgery. After that my levels reached 8.8. The GP says the cut off for treatment is 5.1, not exactly that it is normal, but they didn't want to give me any more Levothyroxine even though they agreed all my symptoms are thyroid related, and my TSH was creeping up. I think they follow The Janet and John book of thyroid illnesses. I know I feel better at 2 - ish, thank goodness for the hospital.
I still feel shattered, 5 days after the HM, and my throat hurts, a sure sign of overdoing it.
In my case the ambulance crew browbeat the Rottweilers on my GP's front desk into getting me an appointment with a trainee GP at the practice the following day.
He arranged lots of tests including ECGs at the Big Hospital. Then a few days later the blood results came through and he decided to refer me to the endocrinology dept. at another of Manchester's Big Hospitals.
The Prof in charge of the department there wrote back with a two page letter (with a copy to me) effectively sternly telling him off for a referral for something that should be handled at the GP level.
Thankfully I then got to talk with one of the senior practice partners (who retired at the first opportunity a couple of years later) who diplomatically agreed with my assessment of the letter and said he himself handled all the hormone related stuff in the practice.
After my 10km run today I've got a sore throat too!
I got passed around between the depts at the hospital and my GP too, doesn't fill you with confidence does it? My case is more complicated, I actually had thyroid cancer and partial removal, so I'd much rather be dealt with at the hospital than the GP.
My sore throat is not on the inside, it's on the outside, more neck really, and where my remaining thyroid is. Is that what you get?
Thank you IP. I find it interesting to be at the back of the pack and watch the others who are struggling and how they cope, there were many run/walking and a few who just got their head down and shuffled on. I did enjoy it - in a sort of masochistic way!
Wow CG, I’m impressed that you overtook runners in the last few kms! That’s where I flag the most. Really well done, I hope you’re proud of your epic achievement - and what a fantastically happy photo ! 🥰
Thank you Cheeky. I took a gel at the last water station, I don't use them any more, but I did this time, and I was surprised what a difference it made. I'm thinking I might use them from the start next time - if there is a next time!
Thank you Over61, I'm getting there! The last few days have been spent alternately sleeping and stuffing carbs, I'm feeling a bit more "normal" so I'm planning a little trot today.
Love the photo. The gravel sounds a bit evil, I should think that's going to bring down most race reviews. Oxford HM has a similar long, quiet loop with relatively little support - it seemed to go on and on as I remember. Well done on the 'sprint finish' - I imagine it must be such a great feeling passing people as you reach the line 😍
Thank you Linda. I've seen a lot of people complaining about the gravel, it was a narrow section too, didn't bother me, by the time I got there there was plenty of room, but I see reports of pushing and shoving. Really not in the spirit of it is it?
I've seen people saying they don't enjoy the town bits but prefer the country stuff, I'm the opposite, so I guess the organisers did well and had something for everyone
Well done Curlygurly2 - a Half Marathon is a long ol’ way - no matter what time you run it in, so hats off to you, especially considering g the niggles. 👍🙂 Great charity too!🙂👏👏🏅
Thank you Sandra, it IS a bloomin' long way! I'm pondering why I found the training runs so much easier, this has wrecked me - must be the whole race thing I suppose. I certainly feel a bit lost now it's all over, what to do now sort of thing.
Thank you Sully, my hip has niggled on and off for years, sod's law it had to complain during the race, I took some painkillers before to try and head it off too. Usually it's better when I run and keep moving, but it wanted its share of the limelight on Sunday.
Well done for completing despite all the challenges. You have mental strength and resilience that tells your body to be quiet until its done! Amazing achievement. And it doesn't matter what time you come in, you got the sane medal as the elites, (and yours was harder earned)👏 🥳🥳
Thank you Teresa, I was really at the end of my resilience on this one, but I just kept pushing on. While I would never want to wish suffering on other runners it helped to see my fellows struggling but keeping going. I saw myself in the video they took at the 20 KM way point, it was awful!! I was practically on my knees! You're right, it certainly was a harder earned medal, and it's a nice one too.
Bravo, that is all the more impressive for keeping going despite the hip and knee pains starting before you even reached halfway. The time doesn't matter, you look like a winner in your photo. 👏😀
What an absolute great photo.Well done for doing it and raising the money you did, brilliant achievement!You did really well, especially when in pain, so hope you were proud of yourself!💪💪
Very well done! Congratulations for persevering and for completing the run and raising money for charity to boot!It's horrible when something like that happens on a run, but your determination kept you going.
Thank you Freecloud, I was aware of my hip problem, and that it might give me gip, in fact I took some Ibuprofen before the race to try and mitigate that, but the gravel took me quite by surprise! IF I do it again and they have the same route I am resolved to walk that bit!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
x
ChrisL's lightweight 2hr HM plan - progress report
HM 💪🏻💪🏻🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
HUHM Spring 2021 HM report
HUHM v10K Race Report + Signed up for \"Real\" HM 
Buddy34 my Solo HM🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️