Running wise, May has obviously been significant for the Peterborough Marathon – the marathon I quietly ‘snuck’ off to run. The event was such an important way for me to sign off months of lockdown running, whilst simultaneously almost finding myself across 26.2 miles again. Since the marathon I have been taking things steadily, although I will be honest the recovery in my legs has shocked me. Usually after running a marathon I can become frustrated by how long my legs seem to be in pain, however this time, three days of complete rest and a sports massage was enough to see me lacing up my running shoes again. I would not say I am back to 100% yet, and the recent surge in temperatures have also made running feel a bit harder, but I am in a much better place than I sometimes have been physically.
Away from running May brought lots of other happy moments – spending more days at work than sat at my kitchen table; two lovely days out walking with friends; two opportunities to actually attend a live football match, including a day out to Wembley Stadium; and finally, being able to see my parents again after nine months, including opening my Christmas presents we didn’t get the chance to give.
As long as there are not setbacks in the next few weeks, I will be racing again in June at Round Sheffield Run; an event I have completed many times before. The multistage race which is set on trails and features a lot of hills, means it is not a conventional road race, and something I am instead looking forward to experiencing with my sister. June should also see the return of parkrun; I really hope this becomes a reality, as it feels like a crucial missing part in gradually piecing my ‘normality’ back together again.