PAULA RADCLIFFE has announced her intentions of one final comeback to the marathon, before ultimately retiring on her “own terms.”
Now at 40 years old, Radcliffe has her sights set on the London Marathon in 2015, where she hopes to put her inner demons to rest, in what has been a rollercoaster career, heavily scrutinised by the media.
People often forget, Radcliffe is the Women’s marathon world record holder, after running 2 hours 15, at the London Marathon in 2003. This is arguably the greatest record set in athletics, backed as one of the highest score’s values, in terms of the IAAF World ranking points.
But Radcliffe has still always had something to prove. Despite winning six of her seven marathons, the British Media turned on her, when she pulled out of both the marathon and 10,000m races at the 2004 Athens Olympics, due to illness.
Ten years later, Radcliffe admitted to The Guardian “I’ve missed the buzz of racing, whatever adrenaline spikes you go into you can’t replace that feeling. It’s something I’m good at, something I’ve put a lot of work into. “
However, the three time London marathon winner, will only make a return if she believes her body is capable of a 2 hours 30 time. Whilst this is still world class, it will probably not be enough to win, although whilst talking to the BBC, Radcliffe insisted;
“I would love to come back and run a marathon or even a half-marathon, and just be able to finish my racing career on my terms. Very few people get to do that, I’d just like the chance.”
In recent years, Radcliffe has been plagued by a foot injury, which heartbreakingly forced her to miss the London 2012 Olympics, and ended her hopes of returning to the elite level she is capable of. Due to the years of heavy pounding and high mileage, the cartilage in her foot has eroded over time.
Paula Radcliffe’s journey could be compared to fictional hero “Rocky Balboa”, and his last outing on the big screen. As a retired, battered old man, struggling to find his way, after a life committed to his sport, he makes one final comeback. Even though he ultimately lost the fight, he went out with respect and pride, a smile on his face, after taming “the beast inside him.” But would Radcliffe really be able to suffer defeat, in what she may envision as a fairy tale ending?
In a discipline which requires sacrifice and elements of selfishness, Radcliffe is now already on a slow and steady training build up in Kenya, and has admitted she has to be realistic with herself.
“I’m grateful that I can just get up and run now. I don’t want to jeopardise that. I don’t want to break down my foot, I want to listen to it. I want to still be able to run with my kids.”
After a career which has spanned over two decades, athletics fans around the world will be hoping Paula Radcliffe makes it to London or New York next year, to receive the send-off she deserves, as one of the greatest female athletes, the world has ever seen.
