READING ATHLETICS CLUB master 245 athlete Karen Burles took a bronze medal in the World Indoor Championships before her hopes were dashed by injury.
A fantastic world championships in Tampere in July saw Karen break the W40 British record over 200m and gain a world bronze medal.
The World Indoor Championships in March looked promising as the local business owner took three months out of her usual training schedule to deal with a Plantar fasciitis injury, while training for a non impact event at the national fitness games.
Leading up to the championships in Torun, Poland, Karen managed to run a lifetime best over 200m.
Working on her starts to races, Karen also raced in the 60m in which she describes as her ‘fun event’.
Another lifetime best of 8.12 seconds was achieved in the 60m heat to take Karen into the semi-finals.
The semi finals were much more competitive and Karen qualified as a fastest loser.
Karen managed to clinch a bronze medal with another lifetime best of 8.09 seconds.
However, it was to be a bitter ending for the Reading AC athlete after an achilles injury flared up and she had to limp off to the finish line in the 200m heats the next day.
Having pushed the boundaries to make the semi-final, Karen had to withdraw from the competition after suffering a calf injury at the start of the race.
“To make the podium in the 60m was a dream I hadn’t even dreamt,” said Karen.
“Going into the championships I knew the 200 was my best event and coming out of the heats I was ranked number one.
“ I had to try. For the six months of training. The sacrifices made. For my team of coaches behind me. The eight days away from my children and work.”
“I didn’t want any regrets and I don’t. I am just glad it happened in my individual event and not the team relay as that would have been hard to get over.”
“I was so lucky that my polish competitor in the semi final was a doctor and came to my rescue.”
“The masters community is such a friendly and supportive environment. Obviously we all want to win but everyone helps each other and no one certainly wants to see the favourite go out the way I
did.”
Now needing to rehab the injury, Karen is targeting a return for the European Masters Championships in Pescara, Italy, later this year.
She continued: “I am in no rush to get back to track training, being a personal trainer I know there are so many other ways to replicate track sessions and keep myself fit so my recovery will be done at sensible pace.
“ My target is to be on the start line at the European Masters Championships in, later this year.
“I will just have a different plan from usual including hydrotherapy pool sessions, bike and obviously a heavy gym program to bullet proof my Achilles and calves.”
