I flew out to Barcelona on the 29th of July for the European Championships marathon, it was only 10 days after coming back from Font Romeu. This gave me my last few days spending as much time as I could seeing my family and friends, in between runs and in a heat chamber. I got to the team hotel and had a really good welcome from the other GB athletes. This being my first major championships was quite nerve racking to say the least. The days prior to the race were mainly trying to rest, keep calm and most of all physio treatment that was actually quite relaxing, especially after having the past few months of very painful physio, where it has been breaking the scar tissue from my calf tear that forced me to withdraw from London. Before I knew it race day was upon me! Not only the race but it was also my youngest daughter’s birthday….one thing I have always thought about is what is more painful, child labour or racing! On the morning of the race we got picked up from the hotel and taken to the start area by coach (even though it was less than a mile). Looking back on this, it was good as we went straight to the call up area which was indoors and then we were led straight to the start only 10 minutes before the race! With this, the only warm up I really did was when the physio stretched me out and a couple of strides before the start. Not my usual warm up! To be honest there was no race plan whatsoever, this was only my 3rd marathon so it was more about staying calm and progressing through the race. I actually saw my chi1ldren on the first lap so had to shout “happy birthday Francesca”, but she looked at me as if I was stupid. I felt my toe nail come off at 38k, however at this point I felt really strong and just stayed positive, we had so much support from British fans around the course they helped tremendously. I’m so glad to say I finished the race and led the British girls into team bronze medal. I think the whole team ran excellent and just shows what the British can do. The majority of us all work and have busy lives so well done to the team! Unfortunately my roommate Jo Wilkinson ended up on crutches after tearing a muscle in her foot but she braved it through to the finish….super run Jo and thanks for being such a good companion and supplying the decorations for our drink bottles!! So now it’s back home and back to reality again planning towards my next race, after taking a couple of weeks off. I would like to say thank you so much for the local support I have had and I never realised that so many people watch athletics, I thought it was just me who was mad! I’d like to say a big thank you to my sponsors as always Asics, and also UK athletics for the support with altitude training and the heat chambers. Once again thanks again for being in such a great GB team and thanks to the marathon girls for being part of the bronze medallists, well done and wish you all well in your future races. |
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