Welcome back to all runnerslife readers and fans. I never thought we would be up and running again, and to be honest I thought the site would be down forever. Luckily through hard work and effort from simon and the guys, the site is back in action. Lets hope you guys continue to support it and keep up the daily "hits".

So where do I start- what an eventful last few weeks. As always with me, there have been ups and the inevitable downs. Trafford 5km didnt exactly to plan and although it was a decent re-start to the season, I knew things just werent quite right. I was struggling at a pace that last year, I was feeling comfortable at. I didnt take the result too seriously though and got straight back into the hard training ready for the AAA 10km. Training for that went fine, and I cut the miles back, sharpened up and made sure that the legs were prepped for a good race. Similarly to Trafford however things in the race just didnt click. I felt controlled and relaxed, was happy to lead for a while, but when vernon made his move, I just couldnt respond- granted it was a quick lap thrown down, but to let that gap open up was foolish. I had to dig deep that night for that silver medal. I had to find something in the last few laps-- dig in deep-- but lets be honest, I shouldnt be digging in deep at that pace. I dont mean that to sound arrogant or big headed- far from it- what im trying to say is, I should be relaxed at that sort of pace, able to push on.....but I wasnt. I really thought that this year I had a low 28 clocking in me, thats the sort of time I feel should be medalling at the AAA champs-- it would seem at the moment though, Im not in that sort of league.

Since the race ive made a a few quite major changes. Sadly ive split from my coach of the last 4 years- Dave Sunderland. This decision was probably the hardest ive had to make in all the years ive been running. Dave was great and supported me through everything, he gave up his time to monitor sessions, watch races and plan training weeks and for that I will always be grateful. The time has come for a change though. I felt like I havent really progressed in the last 18 months to a level where I want to be, but more importantly than that, I just feel like its time for a fresh start and new ideas. The decision had nothing to do with his coaching methods or ideas, but more to do with me. To get where I want to be in the sport I feel like I need a different approach, or to put it simply, a different strategy. For the last few months ive drifted in and out of the schedule. The training has been a bit stop- start and frankly ive become a bit stale both mentally and physically.

Taking all this in over the last few days has been tough. My head has been all over the place, and ive basically taken time out this week to refresh the batteries and think about where to go now. Ive used the week to just do short runs. Nothing over 6 miles, but each run has been of a decent quality. Rather than putting the shoes on and going out the door for a plod, ive made sure each run has a purpose. For example on wednesday night I did a 6 mile acceleration run, had the garmin on and ran hard. (5.42 down to 4.51). Last night I did a 6 miler averaging 5.45's. I think this point in the season should be used to sharpen up. Ive no real need now for long slow runs, so guess ive gone the opposite end of the spectrum and cranked things up a bit instead. Either way im just ticking over.

My plan now is to start the search for a new coach. Im in no rush as im content to look after myself until the end of the track season, but do feel I need some structure comes the winter time. Im at the age now where I cant afford to waste any time, so its important that I get things right over the next month or so with regards to planning for the future. I hope after reading this blog people dont think im trying to convey myself as some sort of big shot, someone who thinks he is better than he is and had dropped his coach because of it. I would hope im as far away from that sort of person as I could possibly be. In fact, I often lack the confidence in myself to move on to that next level. I know ive got it in me, and thats why I felt I need the change. Im hoping that someone will help me get that "best" out of myself. If at the end of the day I never reach the level I want to, but have given it a good crack, then I can have no regrets.......I can hold my hands up and face the fact that i just wasnt bloody good enough and it was never in me.... until then im prepared to try new things and continue to bust my balls to get where I want to be.

Thanks for reading. Hopefully the next installment will be purely positive and give an insight into the early stages of a new beginning...