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Visit to Portland
8th December 2004
Finally I'm getting a chance to relax and lie here on the beach. We're in Los Cabos, Mexico for a week of relaxing and lounging around before heading back into normal training and the build up to Christmas. The hotel is really nice and I also love Mexican food and fish so am quite happy on the food front. A big thanks to everyone who has visited the site and also taken the time to send a message or sign the guest book. Over the last few weeks when I have been doing book signings I have had the chance to meet a lot of different people, some of whom I knew from letters that they had sent to me. It was really good to get the chance to chat to everyone although it was a little brief due to the numbers, and it gave me a chance to say how much I really appreciate the support that I get from people.

Before arriving out here we spent a few days in Portland on the west coast of the US. We were there for the Nike Team Nationals - a cross country team competition for high schools. The teams were from all over the US and the course was typical cross country - muddy with some man-made hills and obstacles to break up the rhythm, even the weather joined in as it was cold and windy! As so many USA cross country races are run over manicured golf courses that don't even require spikes it was good to see a proper course and the athletes enjoyed it and coped great. Ramsey Kavan and Sean McNamara were impressive winners - Ramsey leading from gun to tape with Sean coming through midway through and going on to dominate. The winning teams were from Saratoga Springs, NY and York, IL. In the US there is not the club system we enjoy in the UK so the high schools made up the teams and the athletes all learned the excitement and camaraderie of team battles where the last scorer is often the most important and crucial member of the team. It was a great atmosphere despite the cold conditions and the runners had a lot of support on the course.

On the Friday I got to meet all the runners which was good fun and then on Saturday I had the chance to meet someone I've always looked up to and respected - Joan Benoit Samuelson. I had met her before in Chicago but it was great to have the chance for a more lengthy chat with her. She is still in great shape and how inspirational to hear her talk of plans to run in the 2008 US marathon trials which will possibly be held on her home course of Boston. She will be 50 years old.

Spending some time in the US has given an interesting take on the BALCO affair that has rocked track and field. The fact that baseball is involved has turned it into a front page story and also ensured government intervention. It also illustrates how far behind some sports are in their approach to anti doping. Baseball is considering introducing more tests and also testing in the off season, which is a step forward considering in 2004, the testing procedure only amounted to players being tested twice in a five day period. Even worse - to receive a ban they had to fail both tests! Also in other sports a positive test can merely result in a 4 match ban. Compared to track and field where we can be tested any day of the year this all seems very surprising and wrong. Our testing procedures may not be perfect but we are certainly way ahead of most other sports.

Finally, thinking ahead to the European XC I'd like to wish everyone taking part Good Luck, I'll be watching the results with interest. Last year it was great to be part of the winning senior women's team in Edinburgh and see the others perform so well too. I think we have some strong teams again this year and after Jo Pavey's strong debut over 10k on the roads at Run London I'm sure she's going to run really well and don't see why the senior women shouldn't be able to retain their title. I'm also looking to Chris Thompson and Mo Farah to run well in the senior men's race.