Hi guys,

its been about a month since my last blog. Sorry its taken a while but my ability to prioritise this over racing, training, work and going away for a short break to Spain has been pretty difficult.

I have competed in 3 races this month with a few decent results and a couple of Pb's, cant be bad! My first serious race of the season in which i had any intention of running well in was the BMC grand prix at sport city. After previously debating with my coach whether i should compete in 1500m or 5000m in this fixture we agreed to go for the 1500m in view of making the A race at Watford which would also give me a good chance of running fast early in the season. Knowing that i had wintered well and that training times were faster than ever i knew i was in Pb shape, doing it in races isn't always as simple as that though! After a disappointing start to the season at Loughborough i was keen to make amends and get some confidence back into my running. I went into the race planning not to make any silly mistakes and just watch the race unfold. I wasn't thinking about times but i knew if i finished in the top 3 i would probably hold myself in good stead of making the A race at Watford. As it happened the race became wide open with 300m to go as the front runners begun to tire as i felt like i was in the middle of a training session. Without getting too excited i gradually worked my way to the front and glided home over the final 100m to a winning margin of about 8 meters!

Second up was a trip down to Exeter with the Notts AC boys for the first BAL fixture of the season! this is always a good laugh with lots cameradery and banter between the team. I wouldn't want to divulge too much information into the antics that happen on these road trips but being stuck on a mini bus with 20 lads for 4 hours there's bound to be a few pranks along the journey. The trip didn't get off to the quickest of starts when the mini bus driver turned up about 2 hours late. Especially as id rushed to the Harvey Hadden stadium from work to make the 5.30 departure and ending up leaving Notts at after 7pm! we were in for a late night! luckily unknown to me we had been booked into a youth hostel in Bristol which was only a 3 hour drive which worked out well with the start. Our first stop was at Loughborough uni to pick up a few more of the troops. We arrived in Bristol at about 10.30pm. After unpacking at the hostel we took a walk down Bristol's canal-side in search of some fast food of the healthier option. Due to the time and location we were in prime nightlife central so there were a few entertaining sights along the way. Apart from the eye candy on show we were amazed to come across some outdoor urinals as well as a group of beach babes and guy in a frock called Lucy! Rumours the next day from one of the coaches was that one of our younger athletes had snuck out all suited and booted in the early hours to sample the night life for himself! when confronted the excuse was he couldn't get to sleep and thought a walk might help! LOL

After a terrible nights sleep in a room that felt like a sauna and having to sleep on top of the sheets just to keep cooler. We were at least able sit down to a substantial breakfast to get us back on the road in the morning. With most of the mileage behind us it was just a short drive down to Exteter to start off the days events. I decided to double up in the 800m and 1500m to give myself a bit more of a challenge. After a solid full week's training i could feel the heaviness in my legs just warming up. First came the 800m, the first 100m was taken out at a ridiculously fast pace as i found myself in last place. By 200m the whole field decided to slowed down as nobody wanted to take it on so i took it upon myself to force past the whole field to get to the front. I lead the race into a strong head wind till 100m to go i was in for an unwanted fast finish against some fresh legged runners in a blanket finish for 4th place. After falling asleep in the stand, probably catching up on sleep lost from the night before i had just over an hour till the 1500m. Feeling as rough as a bag of nails i took myself back over to start the 1500m to do as little as possible for maximum points. I sat at the back of the field throughout the race until the final 400m where i decided to strike for home so i didn't have to fight too hard in the final straight. I successfully held onto maximum points so all in all a good days work. As a team Notts AC finish in a respectable 4th place taking into account a number of athletes were missing in certain discipline we should be strong enough to fight for a promotion spot in the next 3 matches.

Next up for me the following week was the Watford international BMC meeting as all eyes were on the 1500m A race. I was privileged to get the opportunity to run in this race and was eager to make the most of it. The BMC did a great job putting together a great field of top class runners. Not only in the race did i realise the pace wasn't as fast as the target times given to the pacemakers but having a look back at the video of the race online it was clear to see it wasn't quite fast enough from the gun. I went through 400m in 61 where as if maybe i went through in 58-59 i would be in with more of a chance of a better time. My target of top 5 and a Pb i set out to get was achieved but i was still slightly gutted to have sence of dissapiontment to a race with such hype that didn't live up to its expectations.

Moving forward i am targeting the Sunderland elite mile organised by extramile. With a record of 2 consecutive top 2 performances, how could i turn down a 3rd and possibly a double victory. In the mean time i am hoping to gain an entry for the Cork International on 2nd July.