So chuffed and pleased and surprised! Stuart at Stamford Striders running club listened to my presentation on The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica (the crazy 6 marathons in 6 days race I did in Feb). He picked up on the fact that I although I didn’t regret my decision to miss out Day 4 to recover from gut-spewing illness, I did get a pang of “Oh :(” when I realised that meant I didn’t get a medal as I crossed the finish line.

Wow, a medal for my Costa Rican race, made by Stuart from Striders! Thilled!!!

So he had a surprise for me at last night’s run club. A medal!!! But not just any old medal. Stuart had MADE ME a proper metal engraved medal, rounded on a lathe by his own fair hand! I was astounded, dare I say flabbergasted. How cool was that!!! I was so thrilled I wore it running, and then it fell off the ribbon in a field, whoops! Superfast Popple picked it up as he sprinted past, so I popped it in lovely Steve’s leggings pocket (ha ha, he was thrilled, it weighs a fair bit!) for the rest of the run.

It was my first fast run in ages, it felt great to run in C group again, and loads of folk had heard me on the radio yesterday so it was great to have everyone saying it was a job well done. Back in the game, but taking it slowly. Having a massive eye-headache at the moment from looking at the screen too much for my job (editor of Trail Running magazine), so very much looking forward to running in Shropshire over the bank

A close up, look! He lathed it and engraved it and everything!!!

hol weekend with a group of us from Striders. Can’t wait!