Positive Thinking

I'm in a good place 8 weeks out. The long runs have been ticked off. I may be a vet 40 but I've recently run my quickest 10k in almost 3 years, my fastest 10 mile time in 6 years and am ranked UK number 1 vet 40 over 10 miles. It might sound arrogant to be talking about so many positives but after the tough time I've had over the last few years I'm pleased to have so many positives to talk about. I'll start with the main negatives over the last few years.

1. The proudest moment of my running career was being asked to run for England in Toronto following my London PB in 2016. I was in good form when disaster struck: a peroneal rupture tear. As I was running for England in an international vest I effectively ran on one leg. The pain was excruciating. I felt a failure. I'd failed! I ran my slowest marathon and was faced with a very long recovery process.

2. After some tentative recovery steps I ran the Porto marathon in 2017. The plan was to get my marathon time to a respectable level again and get on track. Disaster happened. I tore my left hamstring 3 months before the race. I couldn't walk never mind run for 8 weeks. I did 2 weeks training and ran 2.46. Porto was lovely though! I might return.

So where does this all leave me now. I don't actually know. I'm in a more positive place. My running form is on the up and I am actually hoping I could sneak a PB at my ripe old age. My next race is in 2 weeks in Bath (Half Marathon) and that will give me more of an idea how things are going. In my previous races I haven't eased down and have trained through them so it will feel good to finally have some slight freshness in my legs.

I'll try and keep posting as people are reading my blog and this post hasn't taken too much effort. Easy when you are writing in a positive way :)