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Looking to 2005
31st December 2004
Firstly, Happy New Year to everybody. I hope that you all had a great Christmas and that Santa Claus was good to everyone!!

As I said before, I spent Christmas in Ireland which was really nice. I got to spend time with all our families and my three nephews Jack, Herbie and Mark which was great fun. Wrapping paper and cardboard boxes were the main attraction for these three, although Jack was thrilled with his walking talking Postman Pat. I also now know all of the words to Balamory and where everybody in Balamory lives (if none of this makes sense, ask a 3-year-old).

We were even lucky enough to get a beautiful White Christmas in Ballygally against the back-drop of the sea and the hills it was very pretty. I had a long run to do in the morning and was quite lucky as the off-road trails had a good covering of snow which made them nice to run on and the snow was also packed down on the footpaths which made it a lot easier for me than it was for the cars that were sliding around on the ice on the roads. For once i was actually going a lot faster than the cars and probably felt safer too!

We also got to have a snow ball fight to burn off all the turkey and christmas pudding and I taught Jack how to build a snowman, the first time that i have been able to do this for a long time on Christmas day. However, by Christmas night the rain had returned and the snow was starting to go - but it was fun while it lasted.

My mum and dad came over with us and all of Gary's family were there but I did miss my brother and his wife, Martin and Nicole and my niece Maya, whose christmas in Australia was alomst over by the time we got up - it was also about 30 degrees warmer. Still we were able to chat on the phone and are eagerly awaiting the pictures.

Then on Boxing Day we visited different people but learned later of the terrible tsunami disaster in the South Pacific. The full extent and horror of this is stilll unfolding but all our thoughts are with all those touched by the disaster and their friends and families. The rest of the World now desperately needs to come together in support to help everyone and to prevent the situation getting any worse than it already is.

As we move into 2005 I would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and I hope that everyone achieves their personal goals and ambitions for this coming year. It is a tradition of mine to set these goals at this time and sharpen my focus both professionally and personally for the year.
I would also like to really thank everyone for visiting the site and posting on the messageboard and for all your kind comments and support.

Here's to a great 2005 for everyone!

Just eight weeks to go...
Entry 27, 13th Nov 2006

A special announcement
Entry 26, 12th Jul 2006

Making progress after foot surgery
Entry 25, 9th Jun 2006

Back on track
Entry 24, 25th Apr 2006

Out of London
Entry 23, 10th Apr 2006

Out of Melbourne
Entry 22, 9th Mar 2006

Starting the new year on the right foot
Entry 21, 24th Jan 2006

Rounding off a good year
Entry 20, 10th Dec 2005

Frustrating few weeks
Entry 19, 1st Nov 2005

Up-coming races
Entry 18, 11th Oct 2005

Back from holiday
Entry 17, 21st Sep 2005

A week of mixed emotions
Entry 16, 14th July 2005

Post Pre
Entry 15, 10th June 2005

Facing track debut
Entry 14, 27th May 2005

Back from a Break
Entry 13, 16th May 2005

Post-London Buzz
Entry 12, 24th Apr 2005

Cobwebs gone in New Orleans, next stop: Limerick
Entry 11, 27th Mar 2005

Hicham shares the Albuquerque quirky weather
Entry 10, 21st Mar 2005

No World Cross for me
Entry 9, 8th Mar 2005

From Flagstaff, back to Albuquerque
Entry 8, 23rd Feb 2005

Update and pictures from Albuquerque - Part 2
Entry 7, 31st Jan 2005

Update and pictures from Albuquerque
Entry 6, 19th Jan 2005

London, here I come!
Entry 5, 10th Jan 2005

Looking to 2005
Entry 4, 31st Dec 2004

Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Entry 3, 18th Dec 2004

Visit to Portland
Entry 2, 8th Dec 2004

Frantic Few Weeks!
Entry 1, 3rd Dec 2004