Ed: Helen informs us of the details of the reason for her lay-off:

I have been injured. In fact my leg is in plaster as we speak! I’ve torn a tendon in my foot, i have another 11 days to go in the cast and then i will start building up strength again. I have been able to use the turbo trainer, which is ok when its raining but a bit boring otherwise. Prognosis good, and next years races are good ones for me so i can begin my assault on the Eng and British champs again in 2012, hooray!