Achilles Tendonitis Woe

I've been suffering from Achilles tendonitis. Also known as Achilles tendinitis, this is swelling of the Achilles tendon shows itself as a swelling above the heal and pain while walking. The result is a harsh pain while running and I have had to put all training on hold.

How did this happen? I think there has been a series of factors. The problem is most like to have stemmed from a footwear crisis prior to running the London Marathon. Having issues with the running shoes that I was using at the time, I decided to fall back and use an old pair rather than risk blisters from brand new shoes. Big mistake!

Now I am missing out on running. I had been hoping to run the Movember 5K in Battersea Park this November. No chance of that. Instead my race participation has, for the previous couple of months has been, and will be, helping out, marshalling or spectating. All, far from a perfect situation.

So what have I done about this? Well, 'vitamin I' (Ibuprofen) has been a big help. Also I bought some gel heel cups, which have been a huge help. The pain is less and the swelling has gone down.

Now, I just need to be patient. As for my next planned race? Probably April/May time. It's frustrating, but stories of snapped achilles tendons (!!!) and a desire not to go back to severe pain tells me the waiting is worth it.

Are any UK Marathons Boston Qualifiers?

It's not something I think about too much. Unfortunately I'm not quick enough to be thinking of qualifying for the next Boston Marathon. But, if I was good enough, could I qualify from a UK marathon time?

I was only recently emailed this very question at my website Marathon Runners Diary. "How many of the UK marathons we be recognised by Boston as a qualifier?".

As far as I'm aware, only the London Marathon meets this requirement. But, I'm not even certain of that. Some European races, such as the Berlin Marathon are Boston qualifiers. And from what I do know, it seems the vast majority of these races are in the USA and Cananda.

Anyone know any more? It would be good to know how many Boston qualifiers there are in the UK. Even if we don't make it there, it would be good to know we have an opportunity or two to do so without havng to travel abroad.

Olympic Marathon route to change for London 2012

London 2012 organisers want to alter the planned Olympic marathon route. The plan is to have the finish line on the Mall, similar to the current London Marathon. This a significant, possibly controversial, suggestion breaking with established tradition that the race should finish in the Olympic stadium.

The route change has been suggested to allow easier access for spectators and to showcase London. Organisers worry that spectators will be less inclined to flock to the sections of the race over towards the east end of the city, near the stadium. Similarly, they also don't foresee much TV interest in these 'less touristy' areas. They have proposed a new route. Runners will pass by numerous sites of interest, finally reaching the finish line at the Mall near Buckingham Palace. However not everyone is pleased.

Local officials from Newham, the Olympic host borough, have expressed their disppointment. They are strongly of the opinion that the Olympic Marathon should finish in the Olympic Stadium.

Paul Brickell, the council's executive member for the olympics said "We are disappointed London 2012 organisers are considering moving the marathon finish to the Mall, rather than the olympic stadium in Stratford".

The council is proposing a compromise that can take in the sites of central London while retaining the original promise to finish in the olympic stadium. That sounds pretty fair to me.

The Gumpathon

2 days ago 6 servicemen, 5 from Britain and 1 from the USA, set off on a 63-day run across America. Starting in New York, they will run 16 to 23 miles every day until they reach their finish line in Santa Monica, California. Inspired by Forest Gump’s epic run across America, this race has been called the Gumpathon.

The brainchild of CSgt Damian Todd RM, this race intends to raise awareness and funds to help injured servicemen. Funds will be used to help the efforts of the charities US Semper Fi Fund, Help for Heroes and the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund. Donations can be given by text, online or bank transfer.

Find out more about this ambitious run and give generously.

Find out more about the Gumpathon or visit the official website.

Wimbledon 5K Dash

I always enjoy running in Wimbledon. The races are low key, mainly attended by club runners, so there are no massive crowds or walkers getting in the way. Also, it's a lovely area and starting and finishing at the running track in Wimbledon Park is something I always appreciate.

This was only my third 5K, my last attempt being almost 2 years ago. My PB was 21.45, but with training only recently having got back on track, I was realistically looking for a time below 25 minutes. The weather was a bit muggy, but that seemed a fair ambition.

The course was not overly tough, I had been warned about Church Road, a notorious hill for Wimbledon races. This was at the 2K point, and for a moment it did seem to go on forever. However, after that it was all downhill and flat terrain all the way back to the park and onto the track to the finish line.

I was knackered, but I noted my time. It was 23.46. Result!

Next stop, a 10K? I have to avenge my brotherly defeat of last year. Perhaps the Wimbledon 10K in October?

Atlanta Peachtree Road Race - Independence Day 10K

Every year the people of Atlanta, Georgia celebrate the American Independence with a 4th of July 10K through downtown Atlanta, the AJC Atlanta Peachtree Road Race. With 59,000 participants, it is the largest 10k in the world. I had the fortunate opportunity to take part.

As well as the massive number of runners the Peachtree Road Race is known for its heat. Runners start, in waves, at 7.30 am, then every 5 minutes until 9.00 am. Being the height of summer in southern USA, it pays to be able to start near the front. Luckily I started in wave B, at 7.35.

The route is hilly and all downtown. Starting at Lenox Square Mall, we ran via a number of hills, to the finish line in Piedmont Park. The most notorious hill on the way is 'Cardiac Hill' at the 4-mile point, so-called because it is located next to Piedmont Hospital. Trust me, it's well-named. I was wrecked by the time I reached the top, but it was worth it, and the organisers had the good sense to lay on some water at the top of the hill. That done, the remaining 2 miles weren't too tough. After another (not-too-tough) hill the finish came into site. I reached the line and looked at my watch. 54:16, not too bad, especially in the heat.

London Marathon Result

Hours upon hours of training, and hundred of miles of footwork, all came to a climax on Sunday. Yes, it was the London Marathon.

Despite London Underground's best efforts (the Northern line was closed) I made it to Blackheath without any bother. After some warming up, during which the elite women set off, I headed for the start line.

This time round I was at the Blue start. Last time, in 2001, I was at the Red zone. I'm not quite sure what the difference is, but my suspicion is that the Blue zone is for faster runners. Anyway, off we went.

Well, off we went for about 400m. Then, dead-stop. What the blinking flip!!!? I couldn't believe it! After all the organisation that goes into the race, and we still have to suffer a bottleneck so close to the start! PB chance? Slipping away... Luckily it all fixed itself and we were off in earnest.

The first two or three miles are always the quietest, but that doesn't last. It wasn't long before we hit the crowds. Then it was constant cheering and encouragement. This was what I remembered from my previous London Marathon, and this year's crowd was every bit as encouraging as before.

The fantastic atmosphere didn't end. From the east end pubs (The Albion, Rose of Denmark, etc), past the Gypsy Moth in Greenwich, over Tower Bridge, through Canary Wharf and onto Embankment, at last leading onto Birdcage Walk and past Buckingham Palace to the finish line, the crowds were amazing. Like many, I was a wreck at the end, but the atmosphere kept me going.

My plan of beating 4 hours fell apart at about the 20 mile stage. My legs started giving up on me, my knees in particular. My training wasn't what it should have been. I didn't do enough long runs, and I suffered for it.

The end result was i finished with a time of 4 hours 23 minutes. I've still to beat 4 hours, but the day was great fun. Perhaps I'll try another marathon later this year. With that in mind, I went to the pub:-))

London Marathon countdown

It's less that 6 days to go now. Come this Sunday I'll be doing my second marathon tour of London. As ever, I'm feeling that odd mix of dread and anticipation - dreading the pain, but anticipating the amazing atmosphere and the buzz of achievement.

This will be my 10th marathon. My first was the 2001 London Marathon. Since then I've run marathons in Edinburgh, Atlanta, Vilnius and Athens. All these have been great fun. However, nothing has been quite as invigorating or memorable as running 26.2 miles in London. So, this will be a much anticipated return to where it all started.

Peachtree 10K on 4th July. Atlanta here I come!

I just signed up for the Peachtree Road Race 10K. It took a while. The demand to take part in this race is typically phenomenal, and this year was no exception. The Active.com website crashed under the strain, and I had to wait for them to fix the problem.

The Peachtree Road Race the world's biggest 10K. This year there will be 58,000 participants. Being run on Independence Day (boo) it typically fills up in no time. I've never raced in such a big event, so it should be quite an experience.

New shoes for the London Marathon

I hate buying shoes. Even running shoes. Why some women love shopping for shoes is something that will always be beyond me. But, I needed a new pair, so I went to Run and Become and found some. I am now the owner of a nice new pair of Mizuno Wave Ultima 2.

Hopefully I can break them in before the London Marathon. Only 5 weeks to go. I hope I can do it. My old scabby pair are long past their best and I don't want to run 26 miles in shoes lacking support.

Track Closed - Training in the snow

It's a new year and the London Marathon is just over 3 months away. So, time for some serious training? Well it would be if the weather wasn't cold enough to freeze your bits off.

The track (above) is closed and the streets are covered in ice (none of the neighbours seem to have any salt to lay on the pavements). Running on ice seemed a bit silly, so I considered postponing my efforts to later in the week. However on seeing a couple of runners out facing the elements, I felt inspired. With that, and the forecast being more snow all month, I thought a short run might be a good idea to do risk the ice. And I'm glad I did. I've managed a couple of good runs. And the snow is falling again.