Another year ends, and another b/day for me.

I'm still in Northern Ireland with the family, and while typing this Leah is trying to crawl......... with not much luck. Her head is still 90% of her body weight which seems to be hindering her.............god love my little angel. We have had a wonderful time away. Me and Maria have had managed a few good night's out while the in-laws have looked after Leah, and I have trained really well. I will be working on them to move back to England and become Leah's full time baby sitters.

2009 has been a pretty rough year running wise for me. It started really well with a solid 14:23 in the Armagh 5k, but from there it went down hill. The summer was almost a write off until Lindsay Dunn agreed to take me on. I ran a very good 6 1/2 laps at Solihull in the BMC 3k before hitting the deck, that was followed by a 3:50 1500m at Cardiff off very little speed work. Since then my running/training has began to pick up with good runs in the National 6 stage, and a ok run at Brighton 10k. I have trained well since Leah has arrived, although a cold and a few sleepless nights have put me back a little, but its still month's away till the summer.

Coaching wise it has been awesome. Nick has had a great 2009, winning the I/C, National cross, National 3k track, and to top all that a super silver medal in the Euro's, which even shocked me. I still am a novice at coaching, but I have some how have managed to get it right for Nick. Lindsay has been a great help for advise and encouragement. Also, having Nicholls and Milesy to train with sometimes really helps out with the quality of the sessions. Hopefully we can keep a few going until the summer. One thing I will say is that its still a bad show when the coach beats his athlete(s), and I can't see that changing in 2010. I think the main goals for Nick will be to improve his track times from 800 upwards.

Before I go.....................

I would like to congratulate Phil & the lovely Louise on there engagement. I have known both of them for a long time and they are a super couple..............well done, and love you both. Also, well done to Jonesy and Lee for jumping ship and moving house, although I here Si still goes back home for dinner and a cuddle from his mummy.

Right I'm off for a little sleep before my second run, which will be followed by a few beers with my 2 babies.

PS: one great athlete/coach once said - a little improvement every week is the key - hang on, that was me.

Happy new year

Sharpy

xx