MY AMAZING ARTWORK

I should have been breaking the world’s slowest record for a 13.5km trail race in Surrey this morning – but sadly I’ve had to pull out after straining a muscle in my abdomen.

The pain had been bugging me during training all week and I ignored it, until finally

I had to admit I wasn’t in good-enough shape for that sort of mileage.

There’s a few of us who haven’t made the grade, while two of our run club, Clare and Kath, have managed it.

I hate letting myself down and I thought The Dark Lord would laugh when I told her I was withdrawing, but apart from a small smirk, she was quite supportive.

“Oh good,” she said, as always putting others first. “That means you have time to build my wardrobe this weekend.”

Which actually feels like a punishment when I could have been posting boasty Instagram shots of me at the race sponsor’s photo backdrop with inspirational hashtags like: “Live, laugh, I’m not bloody doing that again.”

Not one to give up easily, though, I’ve signed up for a 10km trail race in Alresford, Hampshire, on June 19, which gives me plenty of time to get myself race fit.

And while it’s not exactly a flat course, it’s not as tough as today’s mountainous event. The warning was in the name – Surrey Hills!

And in the meantime, I’m going to make the most of my rest and recuperation as I’m having a break next week.

And I believe the only known treatment for a strained muscle is lying in the sunshine in the garden and eating lots of Fab ice lollies. While no doubt trying to find a missing Allen key…

Email me at siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk or write to Community Corner, PO Box 791, Winchester SO23 3RP.

Every brush stroke speaks of warmth and love on this painted canvas of a much-missed family friend by amateur artist Lisa Fido.

The 54-year-old from Pinxton, Nottinghamshire, says: “I love painting portraits of pets and people in oils and watercolours. I find it so inspiring to be able to give people something to cherish their loved ones.”

And Lisa has painted this one of her own cherished pet. She adds: “This memorial painting is of our Charlie, who we lost three years ago, and his favourite ball.” Calling all artists, photographers and crafters – send snaps of your work to siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk and don’t forget to include a selfie, your age and location, and tell us what inspires you.