Runner's World

024 RUNNERSWORLD.CO.UK JUNE 2018

LETTER OF THE MONTH

INJURY TIME TO THINK

Injury happens to everyone. And it always

happens at the worst time. This is the hard

lesson I’ve been learning over the past four

weeks. There I was running the fastest

I had ever been all set for a PB in the

Cambridge Half Marathon and getting

ready for my irst marathon in Brighton.

Then injury struck: a strained lower back

muscle. My initial reaction was devastation.

But the experience has taught me valuable

lessons. First you’re not invincible.

Second do some cross-training. Third

even though you’re not running you will

not lose all of your itness in the space of

a few weeks. Recently I ran the London

Landmarks Half Marathon. It was my

second run in four weeks and I smashed it

• achieving that PB I had missed out on. 
  Joanna Colley Cambridge

YOUR

WORLD

BACK ON

THE ROAD

Joanne enjoys

her PB moment

levels were low I kept going. Now

for the Dubrovnik Half Marathon at

the end of April. Thank you for a

short paragraph that changed my

run. Oh as for time? I am not the

quickest but I inished in 2:21.

Simon Venn Tain the Highlands

THE POWER OF RUNNING

I work for Welsh Athletics’

social-running arm Run Wales.

Carmarthenshire Council has

invested money in a mental health

project trying to get people with

depression outside to do some

running in a group environment

with a goal of completing the

Swansea Half Marathon in June. My

role within the group is to motivate

and coach them towards the goal.

Through this work I have been

reminded of the fundamental

reasons why I enjoy running: it makes

you feel better in every way. The

members of this group are open in

saying that they feel so much more

positive; they don't go back to bed

in the afternoon; one has gone back

to work; and on the days they meet

they know they will smile that day. 

Sharon Leech Cross Hands

Carmarthenshire

WHAT UDDER RUBBISH!

I certainly do not disagree with the

Dear Dairy: It’s Over headline in the

May issue of RW. I accept that since

I stopped drinking normal milk I

have greatly enhanced my health

and lost weight. My issue with your

article is that you do not mention

goat’s milk. I can recommend this as

an alternative to normal milk. Your

article missed a trick I am afraid. 

Keith Runciman via email

In our defence Keith we

were looking at non-dairy

alternatives to milk – be

that milk from a cow or a goat.

MUM’S THE WORD

I am writing in the hope that you

may be able to recognise my

amazing mum Julie in your

magazine. She turns 70 in April

although she probably won’t thank

MIND OVER MATTER

I picked up Runner’s World the
day before I was due to run the
Inverness Half Marathon. I was
reading it in the evening and came
across the breaking barriers article
(Smash that Wall April). The bit
about the ‘mental wall’ caught my
eye and I read it and reread it a
couple of times. The following day
arrived and of I went with my
running partner. The mantras kicked
in: I found myself mentally checking
in on my body and telling myself I
felt good. Even during the last mile
when muscles hurt and energy

SNAP CHAT

#RACEDAYKIT

‘The hat makes me more

aerodynamic.’

• Mike Harvey

‘My daughter Daisy painted my
nails coral and blue to match.’

• Theresa Slater

‘Flamingo leggings!’

• Hannah Hunt

‘Last year’s Sheield

Half Marathon.’

• Lynne Gregory

We asked you to take a pic of your favourite go-faster clobber.

Next month: #SummerRunningKit. Show us your favourite piece of warm-weather clothing.

Advice from RW

kept Simon on

the road