So, this is often something I am asked; why did I decide to move across the pond to the US? Well it's certainly a decision I did not take lightly, I had to consider what I would gain, such as a free education, chance to see some of the world, and an opportunity to train full time, at the expense of others, without having to completely fund myself, I say completely, because I (or rather my parents) have to pay for my flights to and from the States, so not everything is paid for. On the other hand, when I made my decision, I knew I was giving up on the chance to stay home and make teams, for races such as Euro u23 Cross, or various other international meets. But, in my eyes, I was never going to receive funding off UKA any time soon, despite making junior cross teams, we all know this is never going to be funded so I had to think how can I fund myself for the next 3 - 5 years, and concentrate on my running without the distractions of finishing university and starting a job. And I honestly saw no other way for myself other than states. I have not run fast enough thus far, or to that point to be funded on track performances, and here was a university offering to pay for my education, travel, equipment and provide the best facilities possible for me to use. I was accustomed to never receiving a single thing; my university at the time never at any time recognized me for making the World Juniors. And here, was a university half way around the worlds who had taken note of my performances, and were willing to offer me a full scholarship to run for their university. So, here I am 3 years later and I can honestly say I regret nothing about that decision. Yes, I missed the opportunity to challenge for two European crosses, and various other teams, but I've gained so much more, more than just a GB vest or team medals, life experiences, running experiences and in the time I've been able to visit home, I've made two European and one England teams, so not all was lost in the last three years.

During my time in the states, I've been lucky enough to travel to races in places like Stanford California, Mt. Sac out in LA, and Washington, Seattle, obviously, not every race takes place in such eye watering places, it's pretty standard to travel within the mid west to exciting cities like Fattyeville, Arkansas, or  Colombia, Missouri. I have met some amazing people and made lifelong friends. But, more importantly, I have developed as an athlete, my experiences and the knowledge I've picked up, have helped provide me with a better focus, a better idea of how I can and need to train and areas on which I must develop. I am not saying everything out here is greener than the grass at home, but it's an excellent opportunity and one you must think long and hard over. I recognize the faults of the US system and as long as you put yourself under no illusions about several areas, then you will survive well in the US and hopefully come out the other side a better athlete and person for it.

Here is my first week back training, took ten days off from the 19^th December through the 28^th December.

Monday 28^th: 45 minutes easy/ steady with Beth on an ice ring! Was very slippery in parts. (6.5 miles)

Tuesday 29^th: 48 minutes easy on own from house in Alnwick, roads again very slippery and covered in snow. (7 miles)

Wednesday 30^th:  60 minutes easy with David Swinburne (senior) along coast, very windy and again, in parts very slippery and wet! (8.5 miles)

Thursday 31^st: 45 minutes steady with Beth; she was doing 40 minutes tempo, so we ran a few laps of the Kelvin Hall before heading out and run 40 minutes at or little below 6 minute miles.  (7 miles)

Friday 1^st January 2010: 68 minutes steady. As Dave Norman mentioned in his log over on eight lane, I took to car dodging! Have been for several of my runs, only place to get some decent footing! (10 miles)

Saturday 2^nd January: 71.00 steady from house in Shillbottle, Alnwick area, across to Alnmouth, few laps around village centre and back home. Felt really good and made this decent effort, miles splits of 6.43, 6.56, 6.27, 7.20, 6.22, 5.57, 6.35, 6.04, 6.22, and 5.46 made this a solid effort for first week. For anyone who knows the area, they will know they too is quite a hilly little route with about 4-5 good climbs in there. (11 miles)

Sunday 3^rd January: 95.00 easy with Senior and Matt Nicholson from Matts house in Kingston Park. Quite slow run due to slippery conditions and thick snow. But legs felt quite tired and sore by the end, which I put down to snow causing the legs to work harder than normal.  Pace was between 7.00-7.20 most of the way but nice to just get time on the legs. (13 miles)

Week ending: 63 miles. Good first week back and have felt quite good on most of my runs and feeling really relaxed. Looking forward to getting the miles back up and adding the sessions in the next few coming weeks. But no rush to be honest, I do not need to be in peak condition the first week of January.

Monday4th: 58.00 easy with Senior from club in Morpeth. Roads very icy and covered in deep snow so made running slow in parts. Ran along to town hall, around industrial estate and back to club house.  (8 miles)

Tuesday 5^th: on own from house in Shilbottle, around country roads to Alnmouth and back. 51.00 steady. (8 miles) (6.42, 6.28, 6.21, 6.16, 6.23, 6.52, 6.27, 6.00)

Wednesday 6^th: AM: off

                        PM: 59.58 steady with Beth. (6.58, 6.58, 7.05, 6.46, 6.52, 5.57, 6.20, 6.08, 5.50) felt good and wound up last few miles. (9 miles)

Thursday 7^th: AM: 61.08 steady/ up tempo (6.54, 6.32, 6.59, 6.43, 5.59, 5.55, 5.26, 5.21, 5.21, 5.11) ran 6 miles with Beth at her tempo and continued on own. Ran up to outwoods and back. Felt good and very relaxed.

                        PM: 30 minutes easy with Beth and Nathan

Friday 8^th: AM: 72 minutes steady on own. Up to outwoods after going around campus for a few miles. (7.05, 7.00, 7.23, 6.34, 7.05, 6.29, 6.29, 6.22, 6.15, 6.11, 6.14, 6.00)

Saturday 9^th: AM 14 mile long run, started on campus, ran for a few miles around Brockington before heading up to outwoods for a bit and back down. Felt good and going decent pace. (7.28, 7.29, 6.40, 6.20, 6.26, 6.07, 6.17, 6.07, 6.52, 6.53, 6.26, 6.12, 6.02, 5.51) 1.31.37 started with Beth and picked up after on Brockington before heading up to outwoods and back to finish.

Sunday 10^th: due to fly back to states, flight ended up been cancelled and by time I left airport, was in no mood to run, felt a little tired and sick.

Monday 11^th: flew back to Tulsa, long layover in New York and plenty of time to kill, the rather boring and less glamorous side of living States side! The amount of time spent in airports gets rather tedious!

Tuesday 12^th: AM jet lagged hitting me hard lying wide awake at 3am, after going to bed at 1am after 20 hours of flying! That isn't normal really is it! Never mind, up early and went for a easy run. 47.00 steady (7.01, 6.52, 6.43, 6.35, 6.29, 6.40, and 6.30) (7 miles)

PM: 61.00 steady (8.19, 6.13, 5.46, 5.44, 5.49, 5.56, 5.53, 5.58, 5.42, 5.25), started off with team doing their warm up, finished up on my own running about 6 miles or so around the track alternating direction as team completed their session. Run was probably more like 59.30 - 60 for 10 miles but Garmin took a minute or two to kick in after I started it. Felt good and really relaxed.

Wednesday 13th: AM let myself sleep in a bit this morning, 7am wakeup call before heading off to school for work.

PM: 60.43 steady (6.45, 6.11, 6.16, 5.59, 6.01, 6.05, 5.50, 5.47, 5.51, 5.52) ran with Justin, who is notorious for smashing the steady runs! Felt a little tired after long day at school but got on with it and good run in the end.  (10 miles)

Thursday 14^th January: AM 34.00 easy on own. Felt relaxed and nice and easy. (7.14, 6.50, 6.45, 6.43, 6.37) (5 miles)

PM: 68.34 steady with Kyle and Justin who went 7 miles with me. Felt relaxed and going decent pace once again. (7.10, 6.25, 6.25, 6.13, 6.17, 6.14, 6.03, 5.59, 5.50, 6.03, 5.48) (11 miles)

Summary of Last 2.5 weeks:  well it's been a good few weeks training, just getting out and getting the miles in as I've felt; quite surprisingly my runs have been moving along at a decent pace without much effort or force behind it, so happy with that. It's nice to go out and feel like you're cruising and be hitting 6.00 minute pace for a 10/11 mile run without feeling too distressed. Plan is now to do my first tempo this weekend and just try to get a decent base under me the next few weeks. I will also begin to introduce hurdle drills, drills and strength and conditioning back into my weekly schedule. Also difficult for me when I am home to maintain this area of my training, as my parents live about 45 miles from the nearest track, so I tend to only venture there for sessions, and run from closer places for easy / steady runs.

Lewie