Turning Point!

My run up to the Windermere Half wasn't the best prep in the world nor was my training, since getting a dog bite through work I needed to get physio on my left hamstring, as just running it off wasn't working, a few sessions later it was starting to work but I couldn't get my full length stride back and that was for me a cause for concern!

The week before Windermere I was in France on a fishing holiday I had planned to go for a run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Monday's run went to plan, kind of, 9 miles trouble free running, Wednesday I went fishing (well it was rude not to) and Friday I was drinking red wine and whisky with the locals - I had to be social I was on holiday!

So I got home Saturday night absolutely knackered! After eight hours in a car, I needed food and sleep, oh and the Bankers Draft in Barrowford, I just had to pop in and say hello, well I was on holiday!

Three pints later, pizza from the takeaway, home, bed. Up at 6.30am to travel up to Windermere I needed to be up early as I had to walk the dogs, plus I needed to get my legs moving. Fi was already up there with her mum, her dad was down here looking after the dogs...he didn't really appreciate being up so early so I let him have a lie in! 7.15am!

We arrived at Windermere in good time, parked at Millers car park where the attendant bet me I couldn't do the half in under 1.45, I must look as unfit as I feel. I didn't take him up on the offer (bad move)!

I have done various races this year on no training, just turn up and run, time isn't the problem it's the hamstring that is preventing the training, so rest and physio and keep the mileage as low as possible without causing it to become a problem.

I seem to be averaging 1.37 per race without pushing it too hard, so the early signs are good and the Hamstring is slowly coming back. So on the start line, I go to the front drag Mark and Graham with me, as it was a little thin at the front end of the race. We are set off by a bloke dressed in tweed with a shotgun!

I found myself in 8th after the first mile, hamstring felt great, moved up to 6th by mile three! Felt really relaxed and comfortable, it wasn't until we hit the halfway point that I felt like I had a bit of the hamstring issue rearing its ugly head.

I altered my stride the pain eased, except this caused blisters on both feet as I could feel the back of my shoes rubbing my feet, then I lengthened my stride to push on, half a mile same again. This carried on for the rest of the race, I tried my hardest to hold positions but I gradually lost a few after the 11th mile I was down to 19th and two other ladies passed me, but otherwise I was a sitting duck.

I ran up the hill and through the finish - 1.36.22 - quickest time of the year! I'm patient with what is happening as I know full well I will be able to resume training soon.