After a rather up and down start to the year I've now managed to get in a couple of solid weeks training.  My sacroiliac joint problem meant I had some down time at the beginning of January, and sadly I missed the County x/c champs.  However, I've now had a couple of very painful visits to my physio, Mark Buckingham, who is brilliant.  He put my pelvis back into alignment, and loosened up a lot of the tightness around my bum, lower back and hamstring.  His elbow is a lethal weapon but, like I said to him, I don't feel I've had my money's worth if it doesn't hurt!!  Whilst I'm still quite tight through my glute and piriformis I'm a million times better than I was.  I'm currently spending every evening sitting on a tennis ball - painful but very effective in releasing the tightness!

I'm mainly concentrating on building my mileage up at the moment, with a 30 miler last weekend and, all being well, another long one tomorrow.  I'm just hoping we don't get the snow that's forecast.  I've yet to try holding and opening gels with my hands as cold as they get in this weather, but if yesterday's run is anything to go by, when I could hardly even hold a bottle due to my painfully numb fingers, it could be a bit tricky!  Might have to try hand warmers.  It's difficult to believe that only a week ago I did a session wearing shorts!  (OK, I know some of you hardy souls train in shorts whatever the weather!)  I'm also a little concerned about my coach cycling with me in the snow - he's a bit of a liability on a bike at the best of times!!  But no, seriously I am indebted to him for coming with me on my long runs in all weathers and carrying my drinks - it must be pretty miserable for him at times. 

I'm currently also trying to avoid all the lurgies that are going round at work!  The majority of my team were off sick yesterday and I get a bit paranoid that I'm going to catch something.  If only I could afford to be a full-time athlete and not have to come into contact with people in an office environment!

So, fingers crossed for snow-free, lurgy-free, warm-hands training - in my dreams!