So thought I would write a blog pre and post National Champs.  This week has been a little indifferent with the weather conspiring against me.  I would say it is the same for everyone, but that isn't actually true as some have indoor facilities that they are able to utilize, but remember it's not supposed to be that important to me! 

The first part of the week went pretty well although it has been cold and miserable.  I did manage to have a good session of 400's on Tuesday despite the track having little pockets of snow and ice.  Running 58/56's alternating.  Obviously I would have liked slightly quicker but I was happy in the end.  Wednesday my run route was completely flooded as far as the eye could see so had to turn round and just run along a couple of different roads and Thursday was a white out!  I thought the snow was gone but it started to snow again about 4pm and when I got to the track at 6pm it was already under 2 inches of snow!  As quick as I was clearing it, it was laying again!  I was going to do some 100's and then an 800 time trial but was only able to do 3 x 8 x 100.  It was pretty much in a blizzard, but the good thing about this week was I actually had company with a few of the guys who had come down to tough the snow out.  So I didn't get my last key session done, but the good news is that I absolutely destroyed the other guys (Mike, Dave, Matt and Luke) in the post session snowball fight!

So the other thing I wanted to talk about was the Dwain Chambers Interview.  Now obviously it is a contentious one, and I would like to point out that I have no respect for drugs cheats and would like to see a lifetime ban.  BUT and it's a big but, the powers that be have made the punishment 2 years.  The difference here is that to be fair to Dwain he did come clean in the end and admit to the drug taking, he also didn't have to admit taking drugs for the length he did.  Like every other drug cheat who claims they 'never knowingly took drugs' the punishment would have simply been from the date of the missed test and then I have no doubt he would have been welcomed back with open arms.  By admitting his mistake he has actually been vilified in the press and hounded.  Now maybe he deserves this, but not if every other cheat doesn't get this treatment.  Why he has been signaled out I'm not sure.  So until they change the rules to a life ban, he has served his time and should be allowed to get on with competing.  One thing for certain is that I know, having traveled the world, listened to athletes' stories, seen in your face doggy goings on, training practices and outrageous performances, I know the sport is tainted.  I wish it wasn't and I sincerely hope that the testers can get to the bottom of it.  I doubt for one minute this is going to happen, and I would hate to think how many athletes are on stuff, don't get me wrong there are some amazing athletes and I'm sure there will be some who say I am being cynical and over exaggerating.  Well that's fine you are entitled to your opinion as am I, and the one thing I have in my favour is the things I have seen, heard and experienced over the years.  The other thing that winds me up is that I have and still am racing against guys who have been caught, yet here they are back in the mix!  If they are allowed then Dwain should be allowed, until the laws say otherwise.

The sad fact is that Dwain who was probably our most precocious and talented ever junior sprinter felt after going to train with the best in the world, that the only way he could compete was to join them taking stuff.  The press should maybe invest in finding out and getting to the bottom of why he felt the need to do it, but that might just be too scary for people to accept......

Wow that's pretty deep having read it back!  Lets get on with some running and look forward to a great weekends action at the trials.

See you all after,

Sp8y