Hardloopnieuws

Radcliffe rallies after surgery

Door Tom Knight

Klik voor fotogalerij Paula Radcliffe

Paula Radcliffe finally has something to celebrate after successful surgery on the foot injury that forced her to miss the Commonwealth Games and London Marathon.The world marathon champion sustained the injury in January when she stood on a stone during a training run at her high-altitude base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She decided not to travel to Melbourne to contest the Commonwealth Games 10,000m but continued to train and it was only when the pain became too much that she pulled out of the London Marathon.

Zomertraining
The operation to remove a neuroma, or enlarged nerve, from between her second and third toe, was performed by a surgeon in Augsburg, near Munich, and Radcliffe believes the problem will soon be behind her.She said: “The operation went really well and should give me no more trouble. The neuroma just had to be removed as it would never have settled on its own.”Now, I have to tolerate a few days with my foot up, which is why I was unable to be in London in any capacity for the marathon.”Im getting about a bit slower than usual in my special shoe, which allows the small area between the two toes to heal. But, from next week I can start building things gradually back up to normal.”Radcliffe, 32, has not competed since the turn of the year and has not run for three weeks. After withdrawing from the marathon, she was ordered to take two weeks complete rest. She spent the time in Monte Carlo.Radcliffes frustrations should soon be over, however. She said yesterday she would soon resume training for a summer season which should include the defence of her European 10,000 metres title, in Gothenburg, in August.

EK Gotenborg
“I can begin cross-training this week and start back running in a couple of weeks,” she said.”The break is less than I would normally take off completely after a marathon.”Apart from the obvious disappointment of missing out on London, the break shouldnt affect the summer at all, other than to make me fresher and more determined.”At present, there are no races planned before Gothenburg. Once I am back training fully, Ill have a clearer idea of where I am, fitness-wise. There is no rush.”Radcliffe confirmed that she was thinking of running in the 10,000 m in Gothenburg despite UK Athletics decision to leave a place open for her in the European Marathon Cup squad announced yesterday.Mara Yamauchi, the second fastest Briton after her 2hr 25min 13sec for sixth place in London, turned down selection to also concentrate on the European Championships 10,000m, the distance at which she won the bronze medal in Melbourne.A place has been left open for Jon Brown in the mens marathon team.

© Daily Telegraph