Unfortunately I didn't race on Boxing day after all as I picked up a slight stomach bug and rather than risk making matters worse I decided to rest up. Im in a bit of a transition phase of training at the moment anyhow so with more important races to come over the coming months missing a low key race wasn't too hard a decision to make.
I did go along to watch though as my wife was racing, I must admit though I never like watching races that I was intending to run in. Teresa did well running 54mins, which is near enough equal to her best for that distance.
With the new year approaching Im looking forward to a few events such the English National XC Champs in February and the World XC Trials in March (with World XC Champs being at the end March). I have also committed to racing the Great Edinburgh XC on 10th January which is televised on the BBC.
Time to aim high and set some targets for the new year.
All for now
Lee
Monday, 29 December 2008
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Merry Xmas
I'm currently in Poole for xmas and getting some good old fashioned steady running in, building my mileage up post Euro Champs. It's nice to run in some less familar surroudings and recharge the batteries at the same time, although I've been up early a number of times the past 10 days or so as Thomas has been waking earlier (the little man seems to be teething at the moment).
I'm likely to race the Poole 10k race on boxing day, so will post that result at the end of the week. It's a race I won 2 years ago, a 4 lap course 'Round the Lakes' as its referred too and a fairly quick course.
Anyway hope everyone has a great xmas.
Cheers
Lee
I'm likely to race the Poole 10k race on boxing day, so will post that result at the end of the week. It's a race I won 2 years ago, a 4 lap course 'Round the Lakes' as its referred too and a fairly quick course.
Anyway hope everyone has a great xmas.
Cheers
Lee
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Team Bronze !
Well, I don't think I could have asked for a better first experience in a GB team! I finished 22nd overall achieving my own personal target of a top 25 finish, I picked up a bronze medal in the mens team event and Great Britain had their best ever European Cross Country Champs! Every British athlete that went to the championships won a medal and Britain dominant the medals table.
Below is a diary of my trip...
Thursday 11th December
Travelled to London, a day in advance of the teams Journey to Brussels and arrived mid afternoon at the Hotel. The U20 teams and a small number of athletes that also had to travel from outside London were staying in the hotel. The U20 men and womens team were using the extra day as a pre-trip get together ahead of the championships. No training for me this afternoon, trained in the morning before I set out. Had dinner with team in the evening before an early night.
Friday 12th December
Up at 8am for a 8.30 group run. Hotel is right outside Regent Park, a nice traffic free location with lots of recreational runners out for their morning runs too. First time I've worn the kit for a run, it feels good :-) Late morning - bus to St Pancrass where we meet rest of team before catching the Eurostar out to Brussels, arrive at the hotel early evening. Was looking forward to getting some dinner before a team meeting until I receive a phone call to say I have been selected for a random drugs test. This takes the form of a blood test, samples are being taken to build up a bigger picture of what normal bloods levels in elite distance runners should look like so they can identify the drug cheats. Unfortunately there are lots of people being tests and I end up missing the chance for an early dinner and the team meeting.
Saturday 13th December
After breakfast all the teams (all countries are staying in the same hotel) are bused to the course. We walk the course and discussed the start, spike lengths and the pen order (each team is assigned a starting pen which is approx 2metres wide) Teams of 6 have to line the athletes up, normally 2-2-2 but we decide on 2 in front and one just behind. As I finished 3rd in the trials I get the position just behind the front 2 - I guess that makes me the Teddy Sheringham of Cross Country! The start looks like its going to be muddy! although most of the course is generally very hard underfoot today as it's been very cold but when it thaws out I think that will change. The course is a well established crosss country course and is renowned for being muddy. Our race is 7 laps (1 x 1000m lap and 6 x 1500m lap) of a narrow and twisty course - something of Belgium speciality, they love their cross country running here. After walking the course we get a short run in to stretch the legs and then the bus back to the hotel. Rest of day is spent relaxing and early to bed. Starting to get mind into race mode now, can't wait to get out their running now. Part of me wants it to be cold tonight so that the course stays firm, but I'm also confident that I can run well whatever the conditions.
Sunday 14th December - Race Day.
Up early for a short 15min jog and a couple of strides to get the body moving. After Breakfast I spend a few hours relaxing in the room (I'm sharing with Phil Wicks - another of the senior mens team). We get the last bus from the Hotel at 12.30pm arriving at the course just before 1pm, unfortunately that means we miss the two U20 races but the main priority is staying warm before the race, hence the latest possible bus. Conditions aren't as cold as yesterday though and after a number races on a well used course we realise that longer spikes options are needed. I spend the next hour sat in the athletes tent ( there is a large marquee with designated sections for each nation) keeping warm and focusing on the race. Unfortunatley our section is next to the TV which is showing the race so our coaches and physios spend some of their time fending off other nations from steeling our chairs! One of the spanish athletes doesn't take to kindly to this and proceeds to try and repeatedly kick Nick! (who is the senior mens team manager) the spaniard doesn't get the chair though!
2.05pm time to start the warm up, race isn't until 3.05 but their is call procedure 20mins before the race. I do a full warm up before going into the call room as the starting area is very muddy by now and won't be good for running. We get our number for the front of our vest in the call room as these contain a timing chip in them so that lap times and finishing position can be easily recorded. 10mins to go and we go out onto the course - the mud is worse than I thought - I dare not stand still for too long for fear of my shoes being sucked off - I have taped them round my feet to be safe! 2mins to go... I remove my last item of clothing covering my competition kit and throw it over to Nick, we line up in the pen as agreed, less than a minute to go we all start finding a good foot hold and await the starting gun. Its very sticky mud in the pens and I realise that I need to stand on my toes otherwise my feet start sinking further into the mud, Scott Overall (6th team member) gives us a count down to the starting gun -I presume that he can see the clock. The guns goes and everyone fires out of the starting pens, the 85 other sets of elbow along with a tight left turn only a 100m into the race means keeping your wits about you but soon enough I feel settled into the race. I manage to hold a consistant position of between 18th to 26th throughout most of the race and find that other than a couple of especially soft sections that underfoot conditions aren't too bad on the rest of the course. The course is definately challenging though and 15mm spikes were the right choice! The crowd support is excellent and there are many British supporters lining the course who have travelled to watch. During the last lap I hear some instructions from Mick - one of the GB coaches about my position and I manage to muster up one last effort over the last 400m or so passing 2 or 3 athletes in the process. (I hear later that Mick has been shouting a lot of feedback during the race and most of the content isn't the sort that can be repeated!)
I cross the line and my hands drop to my knees, I know I've given it my all thats for sure after what feels like an age I stagger over into the mixed zone where we find our kit waiting us. On the way through there is TV showing the race and the results, the team scores come up... 3rd Great Britain! Fantastic, suddenly the tiredness disappears and I feel great! I see the my other team members and pass on the good news! We don't have long to celebrate though before being advised to get our team kit on and ushered back outside to the rostrum. Its a great feeling and a moment I'm unlikely to forget standing up there, although I nearly fall off the back of podium as we try to squeeze the 6th team members on there! After a cool down and a bus back to hotel and a shower and change we have a team meeting. Each coach stands up and makes a short speak about their team and the team as a whole, one gets quite emotional he has been on the team for 20years as a coach, its quite moving. As it's my debut I get a mention and a gift to commemorate it. For the first time in a while I have a couple of drinks that night!
Below is a diary of my trip...
Thursday 11th December
Travelled to London, a day in advance of the teams Journey to Brussels and arrived mid afternoon at the Hotel. The U20 teams and a small number of athletes that also had to travel from outside London were staying in the hotel. The U20 men and womens team were using the extra day as a pre-trip get together ahead of the championships. No training for me this afternoon, trained in the morning before I set out. Had dinner with team in the evening before an early night.
Friday 12th December
Up at 8am for a 8.30 group run. Hotel is right outside Regent Park, a nice traffic free location with lots of recreational runners out for their morning runs too. First time I've worn the kit for a run, it feels good :-) Late morning - bus to St Pancrass where we meet rest of team before catching the Eurostar out to Brussels, arrive at the hotel early evening. Was looking forward to getting some dinner before a team meeting until I receive a phone call to say I have been selected for a random drugs test. This takes the form of a blood test, samples are being taken to build up a bigger picture of what normal bloods levels in elite distance runners should look like so they can identify the drug cheats. Unfortunately there are lots of people being tests and I end up missing the chance for an early dinner and the team meeting.
Saturday 13th December
After breakfast all the teams (all countries are staying in the same hotel) are bused to the course. We walk the course and discussed the start, spike lengths and the pen order (each team is assigned a starting pen which is approx 2metres wide) Teams of 6 have to line the athletes up, normally 2-2-2 but we decide on 2 in front and one just behind. As I finished 3rd in the trials I get the position just behind the front 2 - I guess that makes me the Teddy Sheringham of Cross Country! The start looks like its going to be muddy! although most of the course is generally very hard underfoot today as it's been very cold but when it thaws out I think that will change. The course is a well established crosss country course and is renowned for being muddy. Our race is 7 laps (1 x 1000m lap and 6 x 1500m lap) of a narrow and twisty course - something of Belgium speciality, they love their cross country running here. After walking the course we get a short run in to stretch the legs and then the bus back to the hotel. Rest of day is spent relaxing and early to bed. Starting to get mind into race mode now, can't wait to get out their running now. Part of me wants it to be cold tonight so that the course stays firm, but I'm also confident that I can run well whatever the conditions.
Sunday 14th December - Race Day.
Up early for a short 15min jog and a couple of strides to get the body moving. After Breakfast I spend a few hours relaxing in the room (I'm sharing with Phil Wicks - another of the senior mens team). We get the last bus from the Hotel at 12.30pm arriving at the course just before 1pm, unfortunately that means we miss the two U20 races but the main priority is staying warm before the race, hence the latest possible bus. Conditions aren't as cold as yesterday though and after a number races on a well used course we realise that longer spikes options are needed. I spend the next hour sat in the athletes tent ( there is a large marquee with designated sections for each nation) keeping warm and focusing on the race. Unfortunatley our section is next to the TV which is showing the race so our coaches and physios spend some of their time fending off other nations from steeling our chairs! One of the spanish athletes doesn't take to kindly to this and proceeds to try and repeatedly kick Nick! (who is the senior mens team manager) the spaniard doesn't get the chair though!
2.05pm time to start the warm up, race isn't until 3.05 but their is call procedure 20mins before the race. I do a full warm up before going into the call room as the starting area is very muddy by now and won't be good for running. We get our number for the front of our vest in the call room as these contain a timing chip in them so that lap times and finishing position can be easily recorded. 10mins to go and we go out onto the course - the mud is worse than I thought - I dare not stand still for too long for fear of my shoes being sucked off - I have taped them round my feet to be safe! 2mins to go... I remove my last item of clothing covering my competition kit and throw it over to Nick, we line up in the pen as agreed, less than a minute to go we all start finding a good foot hold and await the starting gun. Its very sticky mud in the pens and I realise that I need to stand on my toes otherwise my feet start sinking further into the mud, Scott Overall (6th team member) gives us a count down to the starting gun -I presume that he can see the clock. The guns goes and everyone fires out of the starting pens, the 85 other sets of elbow along with a tight left turn only a 100m into the race means keeping your wits about you but soon enough I feel settled into the race. I manage to hold a consistant position of between 18th to 26th throughout most of the race and find that other than a couple of especially soft sections that underfoot conditions aren't too bad on the rest of the course. The course is definately challenging though and 15mm spikes were the right choice! The crowd support is excellent and there are many British supporters lining the course who have travelled to watch. During the last lap I hear some instructions from Mick - one of the GB coaches about my position and I manage to muster up one last effort over the last 400m or so passing 2 or 3 athletes in the process. (I hear later that Mick has been shouting a lot of feedback during the race and most of the content isn't the sort that can be repeated!)
I cross the line and my hands drop to my knees, I know I've given it my all thats for sure after what feels like an age I stagger over into the mixed zone where we find our kit waiting us. On the way through there is TV showing the race and the results, the team scores come up... 3rd Great Britain! Fantastic, suddenly the tiredness disappears and I feel great! I see the my other team members and pass on the good news! We don't have long to celebrate though before being advised to get our team kit on and ushered back outside to the rostrum. Its a great feeling and a moment I'm unlikely to forget standing up there, although I nearly fall off the back of podium as we try to squeeze the 6th team members on there! After a cool down and a bus back to hotel and a shower and change we have a team meeting. Each coach stands up and makes a short speak about their team and the team as a whole, one gets quite emotional he has been on the team for 20years as a coach, its quite moving. As it's my debut I get a mention and a gift to commemorate it. For the first time in a while I have a couple of drinks that night!
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
European XC Champs 5 days away!
I've finally got my feet back on the ground after the trials race and now look ahead to the main event this weekend. Its my Great Britain debut and to say that I'm looking forward to it would be an understatement....
To represent Great Britain has been something of a life long goal and now that I have my chance to fulfil that I want to make sure that I put in good performance in the National vest. Having looked at past results and having watched previous events on the tv I believe a top 20 finish is very realistic. The mens team has also finished 4th team the last 2 years so it would be great if we could pick up a team medal.
The race is on this Sunday from 1pm on BBC2 if want to check it out.
To represent Great Britain has been something of a life long goal and now that I have my chance to fulfil that I want to make sure that I put in good performance in the National vest. Having looked at past results and having watched previous events on the tv I believe a top 20 finish is very realistic. The mens team has also finished 4th team the last 2 years so it would be great if we could pick up a team medal.
The race is on this Sunday from 1pm on BBC2 if want to check it out.
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.
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...
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
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
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