UK athletes prepare for European Championships

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/7900097/UK-athlet...

Having a chat to Radio Stoke, about the forthcoming international Marathon in Barcelona whilst jogging around west port lake.

Ran my first track race in a very long time, raced at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham at the European Trials and UK Champs. Found it hard to judge the pace on the track, and came off feeling really strong and wishing I'd pushed more.

Overall though really delighted with my time considering the heat and that I'd not come off my marathon training at all.

Off to Font Romeu now for altitude training ahead of Barcelona. Another new experience, and hopefully it has the desired affect.

Had another good race last weekend, made even better as it was my local half marathon. Never a fast course but a real challenge, lots of hills to deal with, but made so much easier by the wonderful support out on the course, they helped to push me on for a new course record.

Congratulations to everyone else who finished the race as well.

I've just completed my first race back, running for England out in Bern Switzerland. What was thought to be a flat fast 10mile, turned out to be a little over 10 miles hilly with cobbles and through a forest. It was also very hot!

Even with all that I was really glad to be back racing, after only starting full training last week. I'd taken a week off and had a short break abroad to rest and let the calf injury that had put me out of London heal.

It was a tough hard race but gives me a mark to show where i am at the moment and what i now have to work on ready for Barcelona.

http://www.englandathletics.org/news.asp?itemid=3726&itemTitle=England+t...

Had some brilliant news, I've been selected to run the marathon in the European Championships, in Barcelona on July the 31st.
Congratulations also to everyone else that has been selected.

The full list of runners can be found in the following link.

http://www.uka.org.uk/media/news/april-2010/28-04-10-europeans/

Great Dissapointment, picked up a calf injury just over 10 days ago.
Been having Physio, accupuncture and anything that could help to get me on the start line. I have to admit that Child Birth was easier than some of the treatment I went through.

After seeing Mark Buckingham on Monday he confirmed a calf tear was causing the issue. Was touch and go as to making it to that start line. Unfortunately I had to make the call yesterday to not race after doing my first run since the injury, I'm still experiencing tightness in the calf even though it is now almost completely healed.

The Sentinel Sports Awards for 2009 took place this Thursday,
It was a wonderfully put together night, with some great guests, including Seb Coe.

The night was hosted by Nick Hancock, I really enjoyed the event.
I had one or two surprises, and it was really nice to see other local athletes achievments.

I was so pleased to receive the Female Sports Personality of the Year Award, one thing my parents would really have been proud of.

Good luck to all the Stokies for 2010!!!!

Sports Awards 2009, 1st April 2010

Well have just competed in my favourite half marathon, a race that holds so many personal emotions to myself
So pleased to have won, breaking my own course record and getting another PB time, in again windy conditions.
Just to say thanks for the support on the course, as ever absolutely amazing and so well organised.
Just need to stay fit and healthy now for London.