Portugal.................

We have been in Portugal for 6 days now and there has been some good and some bad. The bad is I picked up a tummy bug which has not really affected my training, it's just uncomfortable to run at times and a pain in the arse to miss out on some of the yummy food here. I'm not to sure what caused it but Goolab has been there to hold my hand when the cramps come. Then down the track on Saturday Nicholls tried to take me out of the relay's this coming week by spiking me pretty bad down the leg. I did soldier on with blood pouring down my leg. I definitely think I impressed the UK coaches with my bravery as most would have gone to the hospital for an operation.

Portugal is really a great place to train. There are plenty of places to run, dirt roads, cross course, beach, cliffs, roads, and there are 3 tracks all pretty close. There were stacks of British athletes training down the Vilamora track on Saturday, so even if you came on your own there would be plenty of groups to jump in with.  We are staying at the Alfamar Sports resort which is about 2.5 miles from Vilamora when running along the dirt path. We are half board as the food is sooooo nice, but you can stay self catering in the hotel or bungalows - which are on the hotel grounds. The weather around April/May is normally good, we have hit over 20 everyday so far - which is just about perfect to train, or sunbath in.

Relay's............

Things are starting to hot up with only 4 days to go. Will Newham be at full strength? will Aldershot get there big boys out? will Shettlestone bring there Eritreans? will Tipton make the top 20?............ So many questions that need to be answered. Please feel free to leave any team news in the comment section below, I promise to keep them a secret.

Life..............

Leah is having a whale of a time. She was great on the flight over and took it all in her stride. She has been in the pool, seen the beach, and slept in her Grannies/Granddads room more than once as they love having her. She is sooooo good I wish I could treat her for being a little star but she would just try and eat what ever I buy her. The Portuguese at the hotel are always making a fuse over her and the noises which come from her are so cute. If you see Mummy and Leah running around at the relays go and say hello, I'm sure see will greet you with a smile.