 |
| New York Diamond League |
 |
| Rome Diamond League |
The last four weeks have been mind
numbing. Before the Rome Diamond league last month, I picked up what
I thought was a tightness in my calf. I decided to continue training
and race - in order to try and gain a World Championship 'A' Time.
Thankfully, I did manage to do this... and recorded my second fastest
time ever at 9.41 – although it wasn't as quick as I would of
liked! On my return to the UK, my leg was getting increasingly worse
each day and so I made the decision to head down to the UK Athletics
base in Loughborough. A few scans revealed that my 'calf tightness'
was actually brought on by the start of a stress fracture in my shin
which was also causing some inflammation and a 6cm oedema into the
side/back of my calf. The only explanation I have, that may have
caused this, is purely bio-mechanically, from the way I land in the
water jump – as all of my bone density scans came back well above
average. Maybe another reason – or pure coincidence – is that I
continued running in my orthotics without a tiny bit of material that
was missing under my big toe – who knows if this caused anything –
but I can assure you, from now on, my orthotics will be glued to my
feet! The doctors advised that I end my season, as in order for the
bone to heal, it would take a good 5-6weeks of absolutely no impact.
Knowing that the World Championship trials were only 3 weeks away and
the fact that I had put in so much hard work over the winter, in
order to be in the best possible physical shape – I couldn't accept
that my season had to finish - and so - I went against the medical
advice. I tried to miss the steeplechase at the trials and opt for a
flat race in order to show that I was fit but unable to hurdle with
the current stress I have on the bone – but UK Athletics informed
me that I would not be selected on my A time alone and that if I
wanted to make the team – I had to race trials. Thankfully things
turned out in my favour and looking back, I am obviously happy I made
the decision to go ahead and race.
 |
| Ice bath....eurgh |
UK Athletics have been unbelievable
with their help in order to get me back fit and healthy and I
honestly could not thank the medical team enough for their support.
Once I had made the decision that I was going to continue running –
they accepted it and have supported me along the way. The best way to
describe them is a quote from Christian Malcolm “They're like a
boy-band.. like One direction or something.. a dream team” - this
absolutely cracked me up because it's true... although, maybe 1D in
like 15 years time.
 |
| Loughborough track.. |
To me, it was a pretty simple decision.
I couldn't of sat at home watching the World Trials on TV or even
worse the World Championships thinking 'what if'. Two years ago, I
made the World Champ team but was forced to end my season due to a
fully fractured foot and I couldn't believe that exactly two years
later, I was in another similar situation! In order to keep training
through this injury – I had just over two weeks of no running and
have had to do all of my training on the cross trainer, watt-bike and
in the swimming pool. MIND NUMBING. The other day in the pool, I was
dying and making so much noise throughout my aqua-jogging session –
that a swimmer actually stopped mid-way in the lane to ask if I was
ok! Now, I am able to do two sessions on the track running, every
week, but absolutely no other running at all in order to make sure
the bone can attempt to heal. It has been extremely frustrating. I've
never really realised how much athletics does control my life –
it's quite easy to get sucked into all your own issues rather than
noticing what's really important. Family, friends, relationships all
become a blur which is definitely not healthy. I would drive past
people, out for a casual jog and actually feel jealous. How weird is
that?! I wanted to do what they were doing and couldn’t understand
why my body wouldn't allow me to do it! The first week after my scans
and chat with the doctor, it was stupid the amount of times I broke
down crying – I very rarely cry... but it gets so frustrating after
all the hard training you put in - for it to disappear in an
instance. I eventually wised up after a few days and realised that
things really weren't that bad – I was alive and well and nothing
really to complain about - apart from the fact I couldn’t do my
hobby for a few months! Looking back – it's actually pretty
embarrassing how selfish you do become.
 |
| Loughborough training |
 |
| Essential Vitamin D |
Running becomes obsessive. Every minute
on the cross trainer, all I could think about was making that World
Championship team and I would actually envisage myself racing the
last lap at the Trials – only that last lap, over and over, again
and again – a single 400m! I'm usually not this much of a weirdo –
I promise! But for some reason this injury turned me into a complete
running geek. Don't get me wrong – I love athletics but
talking/thinking about it 24/7 is a definite no-no. It should never
take over your life but during a period of being injured –
everything seems to be intensified!
 |
| During Wimbledon.. This guy was wandering around campus.. |
The doctor made me very aware of all
the risks and I am surprised he didn’t kick me out his office with
the bijillion questions I continued to ruin his life with. He must
have been so relieved every time I got out of there. However, he does
have a fantastic set of teeth and a pretty good bone structure which
makes it less upsetting when he tells you some bad news. The main
thing for me, regarding this whole injury was that I needed to be
clear in my head of what was exactly going on and whether there was a
chance I could continue to race on it.
Me: “So what's the worst possible
thing that can happen? Can my leg snap in half?”
Doc: “No.... your leg won't snap in
half! But there is a very high risk of it fracturing”
Me: “Ok..... i'll race then.”
Scenario 1: Continue training and
racing - worst possible outcome happens - I sustained a fracture. I
will be forced into ending my season.
Scenario 2: Stop training and racing –
End season.
 |
| My nice little outfit for the alter G... |
In my head, this is a no-brainer! It
made sense to continue... but maybe I have truly lost the plot after
staring at the one wall, on a cross trainer for at least 2x 60minutes
a day, with a choice between J.Cole or Kendrick Lamar's Album on
repeat (I could genuinely write you EVERY SINGLE LYRIC), sweating
profusely, with my hair slapped on top of my head like a peacock. I'm
painting a really attractive picture of myself. Mmmmm... FIT.
 |
| Peacock |
In order to qualify for World Champs in
2011 - I managed to run 600m on a completely broken foot! This is
nothing compared to that! Thankfully, the World Champs are still
another 3 weeks away and so gives my leg more time to recover. Every
week there is a slight improvement – albeit SLIGHT being the very
important word!! I have had another scan this week which came back
with positive signs of healing - thankfully I am not making things
any worse!
 |
| Anti-gravity treadmill |
My first track session back after two
weeks of no running (but constantly battering myself on the cross
trainer and bike....) was the most horrific experience of my life! I
genuinely felt like a whale... trying to run for the first time
ever...on a new pair of legs...awkwardly...round in circles.
Horrible. The bike and cross trainer had made my legs feel so heavy
with the repetitive motion and resistance. I also wasn’t used to
the impact of outside running! After a few more sessions the fluidity
of running promptly came back. I also quickly found out that I was
fitter than ever. Every session, regardless of what distance it was,
I was knocking out PB sessions. I couldn't of been happier! Even
though my leg is still pretty painful every step – it's manageable.
I make sure I was ice it directly after every running session in
order to decrease any of the inflammation and have daily checkups
with the doc and physios.
The day of the British Championship and
World Trials – I have genuinely never been so nervous in my entire
life. It was all I had thought about for the past month. Every single
bloody day. I was like a scared little rabbit watching all the
athletes warm up for their individual events. I knew I was in good
shape and capable of doing a flat race – but I was completely
unaware of how my leg would hold up jumping 35 barriers – 7 of
which would be a water jump! I hadn’t practiced any jumping or
hurdles since Rome DL so as you can imagine, my first few jumps were
pretty cautious! I thought I was having a minor heart attack after
the first water jump – but to be honest, my leg was fine. As soon
as I start racing, everything switches off and I don’t feel a
thing! I also decided to hurdle the water jump for the first time
ever during the race! Maybe not my finest idea – not practising
beforehand – but it was the best shout i've ever made. Hurdling it
is so much easier than me over-thinking things, in order to step on
the barrier. I also feel like it is less impact landing than when I
push off. It's definitely something I will be working on over the
winter for the 2014 season.
 |
| British Champs |
British Champion for the second time
and now on my way to the World Championships. It's not something I
thought I would be saying – so you can imagine how relieved I am!
It's also amazing to see SEVEN scottish athletes in the team! Chris
O'Hare and myself have been on Scottish School teams since the age of
14 – so its amazing that the both of us are now heading to our
first ever World Champs for Team GB!
 |
| Hurdling the water jump - British Trials |
I am currently en route home from the
Monaco Diamond League. I have been seriously lucky with the races I
have been invited along to this year. New York, Rome and now Monaco!
It really has been an amazing year and it's only July! This was
obviously my first trip to Monaco and I seriously didn’t want to
ever come home again. The whole place is amazing. All the flash cars,
designer stores – obviously just a stone throw away from Dundee or
Loughborough...naaaaaaaaat!
 |
| My morning view- Monaco |
 |
| Little walk around Monaco |
 |
| Casino |
I would of loved to have spent a little
bit more time there but unfortunately for me – it was a pretty
swift visit! I arrived Thursday, raced Friday 9.47pm, eventually got
to my bed at 2am and had to get up at 6am for my flight the following
morning! I did however get a little wander round the day before my
race to take some pictures of the sea view and Monte-Carlo Casino!
 |
| Monaco |
 |
| Mo Farah's 3.28 race! |
My race was a bit hit and miss. I was
happy to place so highly in 5th place (considering I was
ranked a lot lower) but I was disappointed to run such a slow time –
9.45. I know I am in far better shape than this, but considering
everything thats happened over the last month – I probably
shouldn’t complain! To me, a huge positive was returning to racing
again. It was a bit of a shock to the system to be honest but
thankfully I am still in one piece. I have 3 weeks until the World
Champs now and I still believe I can make that final – but only if
this leg starts to heal! Even on the warm up and warm down my leg is
quite painful. Fingers crossed I can start to return to easy running
soon or be able to start doing some sort of hurdling in sessions.
Again I decided to hurdle the water jump – definitely one of the
better decisions i've made – even though it is FAR from perfect –
I just feel more confident doing it than stepping on the barrier.
 |
| Monaco DL |
 |
| Closing Ceremony |
 |
| Monaco Stadium |
Whats next?
I am racing the London Diamond League
this Friday! It will be nice to return back to the Olympic Stadium
again and knowing that this time there is absolutely no pressure as I
am racing a 3000m flat. Ive qualified for the worlds now, so for me,
a personal best is all I can ask for. It will also be a good
indicator of how far my steeplechase time is off of where is should
be – as I do feel I am under preforming at the moment in my
steeplechase races. But to be honest – i'm just happy that I am
even racing at all!
 |
| Back to Loughborough... |
