As of 1/1/2010 (under IAAF rules or whatever rule system it is they use), I left the junior mens scene and am now one of the newbies entering the scary, intimidating, fast world of senior mens running. I still get the luxury of the U23 age group, but there aren't many U23 races available or they're just combined with a senior race. Mind you, normally the best U23 runners are usually one of the best senior runners anyway, so whether in an senior or U23 race, I'm screwed!!

I imagine to successfully perform the "step up" is no easy task. The races become a lot more competitive and to make sure you can handle them, the training has to become more demanding. Cross-country is the worst I think. Not only are the races faster but the distance is significantly longer. In some cases you are looking at distances which are double the length of what I'm used to, and it dosen't take a brain surgeon to realise longer races means more training. Steve said to me the other day that when I get back to Birmingham my mileage will increase slightly, but I'm still not going to be competing at races like the Inter-Counties. He mentioned this in one of his previous blogs and there are two very good reasons behind his logic. The first is that he dosen't want me to go up against guys who are on higher mileage than me and get a major ass-whooping that early into my senior career, he claims I can just get that in training (yeah right!). The second is that I've got many years ahead of me to run in the Inter-Counties, it's not going anywhere so there's no need to rush straight in, especially if I'm not strong enough.

But then again, track is no walk in the park either. The race distances are the same but now they are faster. My body has to learn to run at a faster pace for whatever the required distance is, which is no easy task with no quick-fix solution. Championship races become more of a tactical affair aswell. I reckon decision-making takes on a bigger role aswell. Decisions made in the race probably have a greater effect on where you finish with either phenominal or drastic outcomes. But what to do and when to do it comes with plenty of practice and experience. I got a lot of exposure to this last year in BMC races and generally made the right moves with successful outcomes, so fingers crossed I can keep that run going. But here I may have a quick-fix solution, as I have a coach who has been track running for over 15 years and ran his fair share of tactical 1500's. I've heard the stories and believe me, there were some major schoolboy errors!

To obtain all the qualities which are required to be a great senior takes time and patience. Like I said in my last blog, it is very unlikely I'll do anything special in my first year. I'll just carry on ploughing out the miles and hope one day it clicks. If not, Steve will be dropped and I'll be advertising on the site for a new coach!

There's no need to start panicing yet though, as under UKA rules I can still run in the junior national cross, which is a great result! Training at the moment is going really well and I feel better than what I did going into the Euro's. My heavy breathing has disappeared and my legs feel light and springy, which I like very much. The snow hasn't hampered my efforts much but a session tomorrow may be a bit difficult to do. No matter what I'll still get something done, but it may lack a bit of speed.  

Happy New Year and thanks for the read,

Goolab xxx