1.
The night before the big race your feet and
toenails suddenly become very important.
Long toenails + swelled up feet from running = nails cutting into
feet. Make sure you nails aren’t cut too
straight otherwise your toe and neighbouring toes will be torn to shreds. Address any other blisters etc which may
cause you discomfort on the day.
2.
Looking at the line for the loos about 400 yards
off and going for a good old fashioned wee in the bushes. I really can’t be dealing with loo queue
pre-race. Life is too short and I really
couldn’t give a monkeys if people see me.
3.
Chub-rub if your thighs are bit over friendly
with each other by design or too much chocolate (hey some people just have big
thighs ok.) smother yourself in Vaseline/anti chaff gel, or cut the drama and
just get some compression capris/tights.
4.
Or run to the nearest ambulance and beg for
Vaseline, and have everyone watch you grease yourself up on the side of the
road, thighs and chest area = Awkward.
5.
Train for a half marathon. I am always amazed at people who don’t train
for a half marathon, and rock up on the day wet behind the ears. You can usually spot them pre-race, they are
the people in fashion trainers and cotton clothing. I actually eavesdropped on a conversation between
a bunch of these before the race.
“How fast do
you run a half marathon, I mean what pace do I go at?”
“Fast. No
walking, no stopping”
“What’s the
longest you have ever run in one go?”
“About five
miles”
Needless to say into mile 3, I saw the same bunch of
people drop out and walk back to the start line not looking at anyone in the
eye, shame faced.
6.
A good tune-age on the earphones can really
uplift your mood when you are starting to flag.
Daft punk, Fat boy slim, Tiesto et al can really get you pumped up to
run again.
7.
Interact with the crowd cheering for you, if
someone claps/cheers for you wave at them.
If a little kid wants a high five give them a high five. Spectators really are fantastic, use their
enthusiasm to push you on. During the
Hackney run I was astounded at the kindness of the people of Hackney. Several people thought to hand out ice cold
water from their homes, a couple of people where hosing people down with water
from their front gardens. Which in 26
degree heat and running for 1 hour is pure HEAVEN. I don’t think I could have finished the race
without them. People of Hackney you are truly awesome thank you.
8.
Learn to run in the heat, it’s a lot harder than
you think. I saw double the amount of
people passed out on the side of the road.
The heat will really kick you in the gut if you don’t respect it.
9.
SPF the higher the better and sweat proof. Apply it all day, every day, EVERY DANG DAY
people. Even when you aren’t
running. SPF you need it work it in your
skincare routine.
10.
Who are all these women in full make up for a
half marathon? Seriously? What is the point you are just going to sweat
it all off, and get spots as well?
11.
I love to run in the summer, as I breathe
through my mouth which cuts down the hay fever.
It’s almost worth the exhaustion to be sneeze free for an hour or two.
12.
Don’t chug down the energy drink/water, sip it a
bit at the time, or be that person puking up on the side of the road.
13.
Hydration is really important. The organisers at Hackney run kept on
telling us at the start to ‘Only drink if we needed to’ I think they were
warning us already they didn’t order enough water for the event. Which is what happened to me at mile 6 water
station. Which is completely dangerous
and irresponsible, and is what contributed to more people passed out on the
side of the road.
14.
I am really sorry to the girl next to me who I
accidently spat out all my water on.
Those water packets are really hard to figure out either too much water
or not enough, I much prefer a bottle.
15.
Route is so important for training and a half
marathon. Hackney Run was not really a
looker the first 6 miles. The main
attraction drawing me in this race was the Olympic park which wasn’t really
well routed out, just the queue type running in a loop. (a bit how like you queue for a ride in
Disney land) Also there was a lot of that loop running on dual carriages. Not quite the Olympic experience I was hoping
for.
16.
Milk-maid braids really are the best hair style
for running. No hair touching sweaty
shoulders or neck is amazing.
17.
The last mile was the longest mile by far, and
seeing the largest amount of people dropping out just before the finishing line
is the biggest enabler to make sure the YOU finish yourself. (i.e take it easy don’t puff yourself out so
you can finish)
18.
I rather enjoyed stinking out the Jubilee line
on the way home. Normally I am the first
person to complain about smells on public transport, but in this instance I
felt justified. To the snotty girl who
commented about the carriage smelling of BO.
It was me and the 10 other people who had just run 13.1miles in 26
degree heat. Deal with it princess.
19.
Being able to consume as much roast
chicken/chocolate/wine as I physically can post-race and not feeling a bit
guilty.
20.
Feeling incredibly sore all over afterwards and
standing in a ice cold shower. The pain
is quite exquisite, but you know you are going to suffer even more tomorrow.
Thank you for reading, please do share any lovely
running stories you may have. I am
always interested to hear them.
Thanks for reading
Carrie x
