So my week was lot better in terms of a build up training wise.  No snow to disrupt things and actually two really good training nights on Tuesday and Thursday enabled me to get a couple of good sessions in.  I repeated the 6 x 400 session on Tuesday which went far better so I knew I was getting quicker, which boded well for the weekend.  A few fast 200's on the Thursday and I was ready to run.  So drove up to Birmingham on the Friday night to stay in the hotel.  I would like to point out that it was nice that Ian Stewart came over for a chat when I was standing in the lobby, and he sounded very optimistic about the way things might move forward on the endurance scene, we shall see and hope!  What was even more pleasing was that Charles Van Commenee made the effort to come over and say hi.  Now I haven't spoken or seen him since 2004 but he remembered me and we had a little chat.  Ok so I know that I am not going to get anything from the system, but if you're running well then there is always a chance.  Having been so disillusioned in the Collins era it spoke volumes that he even said hello, because I know that Collins wouldn't, and didn't bother!

The hotel has been refurbed and the difference was clear, really nice.  I had a good evening worth of chat with the likes of Steve Davies, Mark Draper, Neil Gamster and Mo Farah before the usual hellos and chats with other athletes.

In the morning I went for a 15 min run with the aforementioned and I felt pretty good, before helping myself to a good old breakfast.  So far this year I have been able to eat what I liked at breakfast before racing.  Usually I would be struggling to eat because of nerves, but hopefully I can continue to feel like this and not worry too much on race day.

So to the race, I ran outside for the warm up with Steve Davies and again I felt pretty ropey!!  It was quite cold in the warm up area and so I was a little overdressed as it was a beautiful day outside, but just took it nice and easy.  Steve turned around a few mins before me so I did a little extra along the famous Birmingham canals.

1st call was 30mins and so the usual check spikes, numbers etc took place and then we headed upstairs to the track.  I did think that we were lead out a little too early and we ended up even sitting on the track twiddling our thumbs for a few minutes!

I had a clear game plan for this race, run the time.  So I knew that I was not going to try and go off with the leaders, but instead sit in and make sure I would get to 800 in anywhere between 1.58-2.00mins.  After that it would be to come home strong.  As there were no pacemakers the race didn't go off at a ridiculous pace, and it played right into my hands.  The first 800 was spot on my target and I felt great, and really comfortable.  After that it was a question of trying to work through the field.  I was a little surprised that the 'big boys' were not really winding it up which enabled me to simply cruise up towards the front.  I think that it was my presence coming up to the bell that really sparked the race in the final 200 and I definitely manage to get the jump on Lagat, which I don't think he was expecting!  I was just a little unfortunate that I didn't manage to just get in front of Augustine and so he held me off around the bend.  At his point everybody is flying, but when you are up against World Class guys, and the likes of Lagat and Silva renound for their kicks, it is tough to hold on and I just ran out of steam in the last 20 yards.  Being typically critically I was a little annoyed I didn't run a pb, and very frustrated I didn't hold of Rui Silva for 3rd.  Still 3.39.1 and I'm happy because as I said the job was to run the time and make sure I was first brit. 

So now I wait for a call to see if I have made the team for Turin.  If I get my place it will be the first time I have pulled on a GB vest since 2006 and extends my International Career to twelve years.  Fingers crossed.

Neil