Hello! Welcome to my running blog; The PhD Runner.

My name is Emma, I’m currently working as a PhD research student at Westminster University. I’m also an incredibly injury-prone runner.

Although this (massive understatement) isn’t the most positive opening statement ever made by a running blogger, I’ve decided it’s time for me to withdraw from the 2013 London Marathon.

Training was going reasonably well but then I got injured, again.

It was clearly a case of trying to do too much running too soon. The same old story. With my very limited mileage base and niggles, attempting to train for a marathon was stupid.

During the last four months, I’ve fluctuated between enjoying my running again and getting in the miles, to hating running because of my seemingly never ending injuries.

There have been tears on a number of occasions.

Running should never make me or anyone else feel like a failure. It was making me feel like a failure, like I’d let people down. Silly of me I know.

Running helps me relax and helps me cope with the trials and tribulations of PhD research. It also helps me keep my anxiety under control. It is a huge part of my life.

Yesterday, when I should have been running in the Silverstone Half Marathon, I decided it was time to officially withdraw from the London Marathon. I managed to track down my runner number and 5 minutes later the deed was done.

It was almost a little too easy.

I even remembered to cancel my hotel booking so for once I’m  quite organised and won’t waste loads of money. I must remember to enter the race again for 2014 and let the Prostate Cancer charity know that I’ve withdrawn.

It’s time to focus on shorter distances, the marathon isn’t going anywhere.

In theory, I’m meant to be running the Fradley 10k this Sunday. After struggling to complete a short run in Sutton Park before lunch, I’m not convinced that I’m fit enough.

Now that my running mojo has returned I’ll have something to write about.

I’m not making any guarantees…