Big changes…..getting used to being a mum and trying to train and race was never going to be easy. Having been so used to doing what I wanted whenever I felt like it, I found it difficult having to figure out how I could either take Juliet along with me on a run (Thanks here to Trends for Kids for providing me with the brilliant Joggster iii. Having tried a range of running buggies I know that this one is the best out there) or finding family who could look after her whilst I trained. Family were always happy to have her but if i'm honest it's probably more about feeling guilty. I want to train and I want to be good at running again….I haven't run an ultra since December 2014 and I have struggled this year with many different things and have not done one ultra in 2015. Writing this down I feel disappointed and that I haven't achieved what I hoped to do. There is also that feeling of having let people down. I'm not naming people and companies for them to feel they have to say "Oh you haven't let us down at all." but there are people that I wanted to achieve better results for and finish more races, have more successes, the one at the top of the list being myself. So it has been a frustrating year.
A huge thank you first and foremost to the amazing guys at 9Bar. I have been sponsored by 9bar for five years now and I owe a heartfelt thanks to them for all that they do for me. Through 9bar I have met some amazing people who I am often in awe of for their achievements but more than anything else they are a fantastic bunch with great personalities and people who I genuinely love spending time with. Mr 9bar - you are ace and have a superb team working for you at 9bar. Thank you for everything and I look forward to catching up with you very soon. My stash of bars keeps me going on a daily basis - my cars are not complete without empty 9bar wrappers strewn over kthe floor…..just ask Phil, it's a standard complaint.
Huge thank you also to Duncan and Tim at Athlete Matters for regularly putting me back together and keeping me injury free so I can run. Duncan don't forget the Buggy challenge. Thanks Tim also for the great runs we have had - and for being my sympathetic moaning buddy over colds, coughs, sleepless nights etc.
Highlights of the year -
Wins at - the 9bar 42K event in Guildford. - Even chicked the men.
Ennerdale 25K
Pleasing results at
Scafell marathon 2nd lady.
The Three peaks 7th lady and 3.49
Rivington Trail half marathon 3rd lady.
Snowdon race - had a decent run - can't remember times!
Two great trail running weekends with High Terrain Events.
Having lots of fantastic friends to run with….Katey and Jo in particular.
Not so good things -
Having steroid injection, MRI, Ultrasound on foot and not being able to find out why it has hurt so much for years!
Pulling out of Glencoe Skyrace with Foot and Knee Pain.
Not Starting the Lakes Sky race because of Foot pain.
Finally getting to the bottom of the foot pain and finding out that it needs surgery to fix it and that will mean time off running.
Recurrent problems with Asthma.
Three chest infections.
The problem with my foot has gone on for almost four years now...it hurts every foot step walking and is actually less painful when I run. The problem with running is that it cramps without warning on occassion and then the pain is intense and I am unable to run on it. Having tried everything it now seems like having surgery is the only option. Cut foot open, remove Neuroma, stitch it back up, rest, cross train, run again. That is the plan. So any good suggestions of what I can do when sitting on my backside with my leg up for a few weeks would be much appreciated. Pre op is in January so hopefully this will be done shortly afterwards and then I can get back to the type of racing I love which I have been unable to do.
After the op, next year is looking promising.....I have a great Coach to make me work hard and make sure I am being "sensible". Three out of four wins in my last races must mean whatever he has got me doing is working well. Thanks Andy :) I am not sure what races I will be doing yet in 2016 as I guess it depends on recovery. Sadly I will miss the Three Peaks at the end of April which I am incredibly dissapointed about as it is the trial race for the world long distance mountain championships. Also I will miss the trial race for the IAU World Trail Champs so not the best start to my year. The surgeon was very clear about that, so for once I had better do as I am told. Maybe 2016 will pave the way for a successful 2017!
We will see how things go! Thanks for reading.
