Silverstone

On Sunday I ran the Adidas half marathon at Silverstone. I have been really quiet on the blog front as I picked up at a grade 2 hamstring tear 6 weeks ago which had put a question mark over my chance to carry on running. As a result I have not been able to run for 5 weeks-not ideal marathon preparation! I have had several rounds with a physio and chiropractor but the leg remains really painful to run on. However, the pysio was satisfied that no further damage would probably occur and that I had to just put up with the pain.

Silverstone was great-all runners were in 'paddocks' at the start rather like cattle, with an overwhelming stench of Deep Heat! The air temperature was only 3 degrees, mainly as there was no sun due to thick fog. Most runners therefore remained wrapped up warm to prevent calf/hamstring pulls (bit late in my case) with several layers of clothing. Within ten minutes of the start, the fog lifted to reveal brilliant sunshine, at which point we were all sweating like  pigs in a butcher's. I have never seen so much discarded and expensive running clothing and accessories such as gloves, hats etc. all over a track. At least I waited until I saw my husband to throw him my expensive, wind-proof running gloves although my aim was a 'bit off' and I
hit another spectator on the head.

I finished the race in under 2 hours (just) which I was both surprised an d really pleased with, especially seeing as my injury has meant I have missed a lot of training. I paid for it the next day; rehab followed on Monday and an easy pace 4 miles on Tuesday which was nothing short of excruciating. Ice and Epsom salt baths and several ice packs and painful massages later I managed an easy 7 miles today which was much more comfortable. It is just a case of persevering, modifying training and lots of rehab exercise to try and get through the next 5 and a half weeks and the marathon.