May

[Sweder]

Thanks chaps; sound advice as expected.
I'll go with the 3 mile very gentle lope, though it will be a little bit hilly as I'd prefer to keep it offroad (and keep impact to a minimum). There's a dearth of quality sacrificial goats in these parts but I do know a very naughty Spaniel who may suffice

EG I suspect the injury - if that's what it is - won't prevent me doing the race so it makes sense to take on the loosener. If for no other reason than to warm the legs for a darned good stretch. The one problem with having a restful week is you don't get to stretch enough; tight legs on race day invite their own troubles, so all in all the lope is a good idea.

MLCMan, like the intrepid Radcliffe I intend to run through the pain or, as the BBC weather forecasters assure me visa vi Bruxelles this weekend, through the rain. Paula has been told by her physician that she has 'no chance' of repairing and getting through enough training before Beijing. Like that's going to stop her. I feel for her though; seems she's destined to miss out on the really big occasions. Simon Barnes wrote a nice piece in the Times yesterday about sporting heroes (avoids temptation of gratuitous reference to that football match). He said that good athletes broke world records but great ones broke records at Olympics and World Champs. Whilst I'll always consider PR a top, top runner I would dearly love to see her pick up gold in Beijing, and not just for an exclusive newspaper column.

I'll let you know how it goes this afternoon.