Pleasure and pain at Haltwhistle

This week, I ran in the first running of the Haltwhistle Marathon a 27 mile trail race taking in stunning Northumbrian scenery including sections of the Roman wall and along the River Tyne. It started last year as a walking challenge with some runners, but this year the route was altered a little to make it a full marathon.

The weather was kind, the company great, running much of the way with Phil Green and Peter Scott, and I came in in 10th place out of a field of 40 runners in 4 hours 19 minutes, a major improvement on my normal performance.

Unfortunately however when I got up on sunday morning, it became apparent that what i’d thought was cramp in my left leg that kicked in at the 6 mile mark and i carried around the rest of the route was indeed a pretty major strain of my hamstring.

Up until know I have been very lucky with injuries, but it would seem with increased training and increased speed also come increased injuries. So for the next week at least i’m on a schedule of ice packs, leg elevatin and rest…