fracture. Pulling out just wasn't an option for me (don't try this at home, folks) but several weeks of minimal running and being too grumpy to cross-train meant that I started the race aiming only to avoid a new PW. My shin was sore for the first few miles

time. So my target will be to set a personal best time and of course enjoy the whole event.November and DeccemberNovember and December were bad months with the two races I had been preparing for going badly.The Ballbuster was a disaster. After some

differently? Absolutely nothing! (Oh except maybe a bit more pain relief en route!) I had an absolute ball. Can't wait to do it all again next year!Sue Toseland, 6:20What a day, thousands of people it was great. Enjoyed the whole event even though got injured

close to that. The Sunday run would rob me of all energy till Wednesday and if I did too many miles my shins would give me grief. In the end I found a training plan of 20-40 miles that focussed on quality not quantity, coupled with cross

is almost impossible - made even more so by the brain-turned-to-mush syndrome, which made me question even what city I was in. Maybe it was running the first 10 miles feeling fantastic, with no hint of the shin splints of the past few weeks to spoil it

I was forced out with a knee injury. 'No worries,' I thought, 'I'll do New York instead.' Again I had to withdraw - the physio had failed to diagnose periostial tugging, and my left shin was "one middle distance run from breaking".So my early winter

severe pain in my right shin, since diagnosed as stress fracture. Best of all: when I crossed the finish line and burst into tears. What would I do differently: not wait until I was 60 years of age to do it. The key to my success: just determination

salute you.Sunshine, 4:36 --What a wonderful event! My preparation was not ideal, having picked up shin splints three weeks before and having to rest (something I found very difficult to do!) Thanks to Shan, my sports therapist, and ultrasound I got