Radcliffe risking it

Well I wish her luck, but having been a long distance runner in my days I wouldn't be tempted to run a marathon when injured and ill prepared. That said, I never got to have a go at the Olympics so that may have swayed things!

I guess its a function of Radcliffe knowing this could be her last chance at an Olympic medal. There is no knowing if she would be in contention in 2012 but there should be hope given the longevity of a long distance runner.

The reason I wouldn't do it, or at least have a massive think about it, is I made a similar mistake some time ago and it put paid to my running for ever. I was injured but desperate to made a 10 mile race that I had run every year since inception. Like a fool I ran it and tried hard but it really flared up the injury to the point where I now have to hobble around for five minutes when I wake up in the morning. In short, by choosing to run the race, rather than let the injury heal, it ruined me. I really hope this is not the last race she runs, but good luck to her now she has decided to run it. I'm sure she has had some good advice and I hope the gamble pays off.