After 2 and half years of being coached by Steve I've decided to leave him. He's got me into great shape but looking back not going for the World Cross was a big mistake. I missed the chance of getting a senior GB vest and not only that, he didn't want me to do the World Student Cross in Canada, which was another big trip turned down. I can't afford to make these sort of errors as the the life of an athlete is a short one, so I should really be making the most of what is thrown at me. I don't particularly want to be held back anymore.

Steve won't know I've left him until he reads this so is probably livid while reading. Don't be too annoyed, we had a great run (no pun intended). But with you not having any coaching qualifications, we were fools to think it would last the distance. At least you've still got Nicholls to take care of. I hope we can still be friends.

So I'm currently coachless and don't know where I'm going to go yet. This isn't ideal at this time of year but I needed to get away.

Goolab xxx