Aber Falls And Back

I find it quite difficult to believe that I am in the position of being able to run again this morning less than 24 hours after having competed in the cross country championships yesterday at Rhuthun. The idea of being able to run again at all would have been literally a dream not less than 8 weeks ago following the stress fractures but today is the 5Th week in a row that I've made it out with my coach Andy Walling.

I think that knowledge that I have progressed thus far is really allowing me to focus in a way that I did during 2007. I'm looking forward to all of my runs, I feel little or no-discomfort during the run and most of all, I feel as if I have improved literally week on week. That's not to say that I don't find it tiring, indeed I do but its great knowing that its all beneficial to the long term goals that I have set myself for the 2009 season.

I sincerely believe that the introduction of the off road runs has benefited me no end. I used to poo poo the idea of running off road but now I find that approximately 40% of my weekly mileage is off-road. This can only be good for the legs. My weekly runs with Andy also helps, in that I am running with someone who has competed at the highest level, and his experience and knowledge of both the running scene and of course physiotherapy is a real bonus.

The race programme this year will be significantly reduced and Andy, Neale and I have been realistic in our approach. We have scheduled about 50% less racing and the one's that we have chosen will be prepared for as part of the training regime. We will be phasing down the training on the two weeks prior to the event thus allowing me hopefully to perform better.

All of this could of course be pie in the sky, but if it is I really don't care because I am enjoying my running again for the 1st time in almost 18 months....