I had big hopes for this one, as it is a flat run, and had trained well.On the morning of the race, the temperatures started to climb, and climb. The run started well, lots of runners seemed to have a very relaxed approach - stopping for selfies, taking videos, and lots were walking right from the beginning.
At 7km, the first casualties went down. It was getting unbearably hot and there was no shade.
By 8k, there were more bodies at the wayside getting medical attention. I took a complete head stagger, and decided to abandon the PB idea & slow right down, and start speed walking. I had a flight home that evening, no way was I going to A&E instead!
It was a loooong walk. The heat was relentless at 25 degrees, and high humidity. As the race progressed, it was broken up by the sound of sirens from police and ambulances. The fire crews were out at a couple of points with hoses and sprinklers, which was so welcome, if short lived. I took salt tablets, a lot of water and electrolyte drinks.
About 2k from the finish, a water station was handing out water and oranges. The resultant mix of water and orange peel on the road turned it into a skating rink, and more runners went down.
Finished in 3 hours, the slowest time I have ever done, but never as glad to see a finish line. I had sunburn on spots where I missed putting on suncream, and my face had big streaks of salt from sweat. But its done! Afterwards i learned that an elite runner pulled out at mile 10 because of the heat and humidity.
Morale of the story - if conditions aren't right, change the plan. Getting to the finish becomes way more important than any PB
Written by
Teresa1632
Marathon
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My goodness me Teresa1632 that description of that Half Marathon was for the survival of the fittest with all those runners lying on the ground and police, fire and ambulances all along the course, more like an army route forced march than a run, but congratulations to you on completing it in such horrific conditions, you were correct in not running a PB, well done 😀 🏃🏾 ✔️
I think I saw the gates of hell, but might have been a mirage 😧 Feel very beaten up and tired now, you're right, it was more like a forced route march 😱
That sounds horrendous Teresa! I hate running in the heat so I just can’t imagine doing that. A huge well done to you for carrying on and getting the bling.
Out of interest, are those temperatures usual for Lisbon at this time of year?
The original date was last weekend but got postponed due to the Presidental elections (how dare they, don't they know who I am 😛)Last weekend was cool and raining. Next weekend...cool and raining. Trust the one weekend I go there to be so hot 🔥. We Irish people are not built for sun!
Running in those temps is pretty normal for Australia but it’s the humidity that I find is the biggest challenge. Big well done for adjusting the goals & getting it done. 😍
There seems to be many runners who try to run a half marathon do not train properly, apart from the heat in that Spanish HM there were 3 also held in the UK, not in heat like in Spain or Australia but in much cooler weather, but despite the weather in the UK many runners in those HM collapsed during the run even before the 10K distance, this is despite all the training apps there are, I hope from now on people before they try a run will train for it, doing proper training should avoid them collapsing during a run
I'm a regular HM runner and coach, and yes it would be mad to try that distance without training for it, and having the sense to adjust the plan if conditions aren't right on the day.Lack of training will catch many out. Lack of experience gets many more (not fuelling/hydrating properly before and during the run, getting caught up in the buzz and running out too fast are the classic rookie errors).
A HM is an achievable goal, but good preparation is key!
Really well done on adjusting to conditions Teresa. After all the planning and a PB in your sights, it would have been all too easy to try to press on regardless. Great run 🏆👏👏👏
Heat is really difficult isn’t it for us UK runners not used to it. Your thorough training paid off. We can never know how these things will pan out but we do our best. Your next one will be perfect conditions hopefully 🙏😀👍
I hope you’re good today and feeling ready for the next challenge 🙂
Thank you, all good! The next half is Prague on 6 April. I'm planning some trail running to cope with the cobbled streets! And plan to run in my training shoes, as they have more ankle support. Going to have a go at speed walking on the worst of the cobbles, and enjoy the scenery on the day.
We have cobbles here and I’ll be racing on them for a short distance this weekend . They’re poorly maintained so i’ll have to slow down and watch what i’m doing, whilst trying not to head butt a street lamp 🙄😁
The scenery should be grand 🤗 Have a fab time 😀👍🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
The runs are part of a series called the Superhalfs. It's a great excuse to travel and run in a European city 😄Good luck on your cobbly street run, stay upright and between the hedges 😁
Oh goodness! Good luck with your run, eeek! I think I'll practice speed walking on the cobbles, might be safer. Hoping they're not wet for your race. Stay upright! 🤞
Oh wow that sounds tough. Huge well done for being strong enough to resist temptation and do the right thing instead. I really fancy trying the superhalfs but they sell out before I know what my plans are!!
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