Since my diagnosis for torn meniscus (knee cartilage) last year and the decision not to have an operation, I effectively give up on thoughts of running races and instead to continue with swim and bike training and if the knee allowed to do sprint distance tri events. I found I could run once a week without getting any pain from the knee during or post running and by concentrating on doing a fast paced session that I could still run reasonably well.
Spurred on by pain free progress I decided to set myself a mini target of running under 18minutes for 5km at Easter. I found I could add an occasional second weekly run – still no knee pain and in a time trial to see where I was at, I beat the target with a few weeks in hand. Pinning on a number and lining up in a running race was felt strange and familiar at the same time. With perfect weather and a favourable course, I just had to execute my pace strategy. Following 1k splits of 3:28, 3:28, 3:32, 3:36, 3:28 I stopped the clock in 14th place in 17:33. Job done.
Side by side with Jenny James.