Radcliffe ready to take marathon risk.Byline: BY NICK BRIGGSPAULA RADCLIFFE Paula Jane Radcliffe, MBE (born 17 December, 1973) is a British long-distance runner. She is the current world record holder for the women's marathon, which she set during the 2003 London Marathon, with a time of 2:15:25. insists she will still compete in the women's marathon at the Olympic Games Olympic games, premier athletic meeting of ancient Greece, and, in modern times, series of international sports contests. The Olympics of Ancient Greece Although records cannot verify games earlier than 776 B.C. even if there is a chance she could break down with injury. Four years ago in Athens Radcliffe began her bid for the one title that has eluded her throughout a glittering glit·ter n. 1. A sparkling or glistening light. 2. Brilliant or showy, often superficial attractiveness. 3. Small pieces of light-reflecting decorative material. intr.v. distance-running career carrying a leg injury and was subsequently forced to retire from the race with a stomach complaint caused by anti-inflammatories she was taking. Her decision to quit four years ago was praised and vilified in equal measure, and now she is approaching the 2008 edition under an injury cloud after an MRI 1. (application) MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2. MRI - Measurement Requirements and Interface. scan in May revealed a stress fracture stress fracture n. A fatigue fracture of bone caused by repeated application of a heavy load, such as the constant pounding on a surface by runners, gymnasts, and dancers. in her left thigh. The 34-year-old, however, has made a seemingly spectacular recovery, although she has been restricted mostly to pool and treadmill work. It means she has yet to extensively test her injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. leg on tarmac having undertaken only a small amount of outdoor running. Having confirmed she will compete in Beijing 'unless my leg breaks down' beforehand, Radcliffe reiterated she is intent on reaching the start line even if her ability to finish the 26-mile, 385-yard course is unclear beforehand. Asked what would make her still race if her fitness was questionable, she said: "The determination to find out. "It was different four years ago because I absolutely knew I was in really good shape but I wasn't quite healthy. At the same time I really felt my leg would stand it so with the injury standing on the line four years ago, yeah, I would do that again. "It did actually take it and that wasn't what stopped me, it was recognising the signs of illness. I'm really hoping they're not going to happen this time because I was in really good shape and everything dropped on me two weeks before and it was a huge amount of stress to suddenly deal with." It would therefore suggest Radcliffe made up her own mind over her participation in Beijing despite UK Athletics UK Athletics is the governing body for the sport of athletics in the United Kingdom. UK Athletics was founded in 1999 as a successor to the British Athletics Federation, which had collapsed for financial reasons. performance director Dave Collins' insistence on Sunday that it would come down to a joint decision between a number of parties. "It's not a decision that will be made. I'm racing unless my leg breaks down and I can't run. That's it. It's already made," she said when confirming she would run on August 17. "It's just the fact that because I've not been running huge amounts at full body weight outside on it, they (Team GB) don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. whether it will get me there. The only decision that would be made would be made for me - and I don't want to think about that." While the 34-year-old may have defied expert opinion that it would be impossible for her to be fit in time for the Games, Radcliffe admitted she was nevertheless unsure over her medal prospects. However, she drew inspiration from a similar, if not quite as serious, scenario six years ago before she went on to win her first London First London is one of many operators of London Buses and owned by First Group. Their registered office is at Paddington station in London. Company history First entered bus operations in London in 1997 after acquiring First CentreWest and First Capital in 1998. Marathon. "This time I think I've had the worst period of stress and now it's just 'get on and enjoy it'," she said. "I'm actually thinking it's going to be more like the 2002 London Marathon The London Marathon is a road marathon that has been held each year in London since 1981, usually in April. In addition to being one of the top five international marathons run over the traditional distance of 42. when I had the nightmare with my knee three weeks before and didn't even know if I'd be ready to start that race. When I got to London I was just really happy to be there and ran really well so I'm hoping this is going to work that way." Radcliffe also conceded there had been many moments of self-doubt during a gruelling rehabilitation rehabilitation: see physical therapy. schedule but believes it will make her mentally more resilient as she targets a first medal in her fourth Olympics. "The one thing I kept trying to remind myself was everyone's different so you can't say it definitely has to be this many weeks out, I might heal faster. "I had to do as much positive thinking as I could. I've had to be very aware of listening to my body but at the same time ask questions of it and try and hurry it along a bit." I'm racing unless my leg breaks down and I can't run PAULA RADCLIFFE CAPTION(S): Great Britain's Paula Radcliffe, seen here at the team hotel in Macau, insists she will still compete in the women's marathon at the Olympics |
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