Training has picked up a bit in the last couple of weeks, although I'm finding it hard to motivate myself in the cold weather!  I've been trying to get a bit of speed back in my legs for the last 3 months or so, and was beginning to despair that it wasn't happening.  However, I've had one or two decent sessions recently - nothing spectacular but going in the right direction.  I think it's down to the fact that I'm training with Steve Hundal again, now that he's back training after his great run in the New York marathon.  It definitely helps to have someone else there to knock out the reps with - thanks Steve.  He's  got the edge over me on the track but I reckon that's just because I've got more miles in my legs than him at the moment (that's my excuse anyway!!)  When I'm feeling down about a training session my coach keeps telling me to look at the overall picture and not just individual sessions in isolation.

Christmas always feels like a bit of a mental 'full-stop' or barrier for me.  Somehow, in my head, it feels like next year's races are ages away and that I don't need to think about them until the Christmas festivities are over.  In reality, of course, it's not like that at all, and the 5 mile race I've entered on January 2^nd is actually only 2 weeks away!!

This year has been quite a significant one for me, as I've made the move up to 'proper' ultra-distances.  Highlights were definitely the Comrades Marathon in South Africa, a silver medal in the 50k World Trophy Final, and representing Great Britain in my first major Championship - the World & European 100k Champs.  I've learnt a lot this year and hope my body stays in one piece so that I can build on my experiences next year! 

I'm intending to have a couple of easier days training on Christmas Day & Boxing Day before making the most of being off work and training in the daylight for the rest of the week - that's the plan anyway!  I never run on Christmas Day - I swap my week round so that I have it as my rest day (especially this year as I'm cooking the Christmas dinner so can't imagine I'll find time to go for a run anyway!).  My downfall will certainly be eating too many cakes, mince pies and naughty puddings!

This will be my last blog of 2011, so to all Runnerslife readers and athletes - have a great Christmas, and very best wishes for a successful 2012.