Scotland international sprinter Maddy Silcock (Banchory Stonehaven AC) admitted to being slightly nervous about stepping on to a running track for the first time in six months to compete in yesterday’s open graded meeting at Aberdeen Sports Village.
The 17-year-old Aboyne Academy pupil had not raced since representing her country in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau in July when she reached the semi-final of the 100m.
Silcock’s preparations for the youth games had been hindered by a foot injury which subsequently forced her to end her summer season early and embark on a long and frustrating process of rehabilitation.
Her appearance in two 60m races yesterday marked a landmark on her journey back to full fitness and she was satisfied to have recorded consistent times of 8.09sec and 8.10.
Silcock said: “I was very nervous as it’s a massive step to make. A lot of it was in the mind as I was a bit scared about moving to that next stage of trying to run at full speed after such a long time out.
“But after doing the first race I felt much better. It’s a case of getting confidence back as well as fitness, so I am happy with how it went.”
Silcock admits to have endured some low points since the summer but was helped by her clubmate and fellow Scotland international Kathryn Christie, who is also on the comeback trail after a long-term injury absence.
She said: “It has been a slow process. The problem was caused by a ligament on the outside of my right foot and a tendon on the inside.
“I had a lot of intensive physiotherapy to begin with and I’ve been doing lots of exercises and just trying to build up gradually.
“I only started running again about six weeks to two months ago. It has been frustrating and I had a lot of downs when I didn’t think I was going to get back.
“So it was good to have Kathryn there as she has gone through similar problems and kept me going.
“I just want to keep improving my fitness. If the indoor races don’t go well I’ll just focus on getting ready for the outdoors in the summer.”
Maddy’s younger brother Ralph set a personal best 9.34 in the 60m hurdles and won his 60m heat in 7.92.
Robert Gordon University student Eilidh de Klerk set the fastest time in the women’s 60m when recording 7.90, while Aberdeen AAC’s Rebecca Olaleye clocked a personal best 8.03 and Elle Briggs (Inverness Harriers) achieved 8.11.
Scottish schools high jump international Carmen Neat (Aberdeen AC) was fastest over the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.48.
Youngster Stroma Fraser (Inverness Harriers), who is enjoying a very successful indoor season in the under-13 age group, set a personal best 60m hurdles time of 10.10 and ran 8.78 for the flat 60. She also won her long jump competition by clearing 4.47.