Saturday 29 November 2008

3rd at Euro Cross Country Trials !

I'm just about to head to bed but to be honest I'm not sure how much sleep I'm likely to get tonight! as previously mentioned I was racing today in the McCain UK Cross Challenge in Liverpool which also doubles as the trial race for the Great Britain team that goes to the European Cross Country Champs in 2 weeks time. As you've probably gathered from the title I finished 3rd, which if I'm honest is much better than I expected as the first three are automatically selected for the team! well that's what I've been told by a number of people today but until I get the call officially it still doesn't seem real!

I knew I had a chance today but the race went like a dream - still feels like that infact! Of all the races and athletics events I've competed in this definately goes down as my greatest achievement to date and I'm not embarrassed to say that I was a little emotional afterwards too! I can only remember two occasions when I've felt that choked (at least recently any how) by the occasion, one was when Thomas was born and the other was today. So that's both in the space of a few months! I should probably have said my wedding day in there but I think my wife will let me have that :-) Either way all not very alpha male i'm sure but i'm so made up with today that I don't care.

Will write again soon with further details etc but check the link the results which has a picture (taken in the last 400m).... http://www.ukathletics.net/media/news/november-2008/29-11-08-mccain-liverpool/

all for now.

Thursday 27 November 2008

Race Weekend

Hi,

Well race weekend approaches... I have the British European Cross Country Trials this weekend, the race distance is 9.8km over what is likely to be a muddy Sefton Park in Liverpool. Last year I was 10th overall finisher, the 8th British athlete over the line but with 6 athletes selected for the British Senior Mens Team for the European XC Champs (which are in Belgium on Sunday 14th December) Im going to need to improve on that placing.

Training has gone well since I competing in the Gateshead XC two weeks ago and I believe Im in better shape than at this time last year. There is plenty of competition for the 6 places but arguably this years race is also more open. I've yet to make a GB team but this year certainly provides me a great chance to achieve that, checkout the blog next week for race details and result...

Friday 21 November 2008

Welcome to my blog

Hi

Welcome to my blog, this is my first blog entry, something I've been meaning to get round to for a few weeks but its been a busy few weeks, infact its been a busy few months - during which my wife gave birth for the first time to our son Thomas (who weighed in at exactly 7lbs), I've been making plans for a change in my working environment, in one of my two jobs (fitness trainer, the other being the local Athletics Development Officer) and also fitting in the small matter of 90miles a week of running.

Thomas has certainly changed things around home, being an athlete means I love my sleep and getting my full quota proved near on impossible to start with, but he's now over 3months old, into a good routine and im pleased to say sleeping through the night now. Whilst I'd like to think I've pulled my weight in term nappy changing and various baby duties my wife (Teresa) has to take the majority of the credit! She is currently off work until the end of the year and thanks to her I have been able to keep my training going and my work has been able to continue unaffected. Teresa is not without her own fitness related ambitions too - only a few weeks ago she also completed the Great South Run (10mile road race) 11 weeks after having Thomas by Ceasarian Section.

I plan to update my blog on a regularly basis with details and articles related to all aspects of health & fitness, my own training as I work towards my sporting ambitions of running in the Olympic Games as well as keeping you posted about regular updates at Healthchek http://www.healthchekuk.com/

From December 1st I will be working with my friend Andy Perkins at HealthChek (something else that materialised over the past few months). We will be working together providing a range of health and fitness services to assist others with their aims and ambitions. Stay tuned for regular info and articles on various subjects.

All for now, cheers

Lee