First Impressions

I very much take people on first impressions, as my star sign says 'Sagitarians don't suffer fools gladly' so I was worried what the manager would be like as it could make this a drag of a trip and end Welsh trips over the grass. I shouldn't have worried, Kevin who has returned to be the manager after a few years out was great and felt like the management at Belgrave. He reminded me of my dad in his organisation, direct manner and his idea of a manager, his first words when we were together as we arrived at the hotel were "You are the most important people, I am here to help you and get you to the start line in the best possible shape and mind set. I don't want to coach you and tell you when to run or how far to run as that's for you and your coach to decide, I am here to keep you happy and ready to run so if you want or need anything just ask and I will do my best". Formerly Andreas Jones coach he was a nice guy to chat with and as I am like the Bellamy of Welsh running he might be the Mark Hughes I needed.

Young Goolab was staying in the hotel representing England (booo!) who ran really well and seemed to be enjoying the sausages at breakfast! I was sharing a room with a Spanish runner called Nunez, not sure how that happened but he was alright actually but he had a bit of a cold which was worrying, I had a bad feeling he would pass it on so was always opening windows and leaving when he came in and going to the room when he was in the bar. The big problem was he was up all night and kept me awake, he was coughing, sniffing, snorting and going to the toilet all night, it was more the fact I was worried about catching something that it keeping me awake although not ideal the night before a race. Luckily the second night Dewi had a spare bed so I switched and left him to cough on his own.

See race report for race

After the race I got back and had some food as I missed the free food as I went for a warm down with James Kelly, I know... I thought they would be cooking for longer too! After some food and watching the footy with Kevin I went in the Jaccuzi for 20minutes and then got ready for dinner. I did have Malibu before bed but didn't go into town with the other Welsh lads, I had to do 2 hour run at 7am at a decent pace so there was no way I could do both. I enjoyed the morning run as I ran to Newcastle city centre (about 7/8miles) from where our hotel and then ran around St James park, over Tyne Bridge, over Millenium Bridge, through the Xmas market, over the Quee side, and then back to the hotel. I was knackered by the end, especially after yesterday!

I enjoyed the trip, the training, change of scenery and catching up with Ian Ladbrooke who I quite like chatting too and getting his opinion (he has a few) on things. I thought the whole team did ok and the race was good for me. I was getting grumpy on Sunday afternoon though as I just wanted to be home lying on the sofa and eating rather than just killing time waiting till 6.30pm for a flight.

Simx