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Running in Buffalo Park

From Flagstaff, back to Albuquerque
23rd February 2005

Hi Everyone,

Sorry that it has been a little while since I updated the diary. Well, since the last time I wrote we have moved from Albuquerque to Flagstaff and then back to Albuquerque! I was really looking forward to going to Flagstaff, it is such a beautiful place to train with great facilities. I really enjoyed my time there last year and was happy to be back on the trails and loops there.

Dodging the snow

Unfortunately though, the southwest of the US has had a lot of rain and snow this winter and the weather has been very unpredictable in Flagstaff. Some of the trails were very cut up and some we were unable to run on at all. There is a lot of choice though and I got a good weeks training in, even fitting in my first ever indoor track session - nice and warm and an unbanked 300m track so not a bad experience. However, with another stormy week forecast we decided to head back to Albuquerque where the weather is warmer and more stable and I can get the quality sessions that I need in.

A few new people have arrived in town here since I left and returned, so hopefully I might get a chance to catch up with them over the next few weeks. Also a few of Alberto Salazar's Oregon Project team are using the track in Albuquerque so you never know who is at the track when you turn up. I have also been keeping in touch with Liz Yelling who is currently training in Boulder amongst a strong British contingent there. I'm glad to hear they are all doing well and dodging the snow there too. I also read that the UK received a dose of snow too, I hope it isn't disrupting things too much for everyone.

My first ever indoor track session!

Last weekend saw the indoor grand prix in Birmingham which had some really good performances. Kelly looked really happy and relaxed in the pictures that I saw and from the report it sounds like she ran really strongly and dominated the race. I am sure she had another amazing reception from the big crowd - so it sounds like it was a great night. I was also pleased to see Jo Pavey ran well.

Saturday saw the English National XC Champs with senior wins for Hayley Yelling and Glyn Tromans. Hayley seems to be going from strength to strength and building on the confidence she gained from winning the European XC in December which is great to see. Another good performance came from Adam Hickey in the U/17 - looking really strong. I was also really happy to see Bedford and County regain the U/13 team title for the first time since Liz Yelling (Talbot) was an U/13 in 1988. Alex and the girls have worked really hard towards achieving their goal and congratulations to them all. It's funny but I remember that National in Leeds in 1988 vividly still, I finished 2nd in the U/15 race to Charlotte Mayock and we also won the U/15 team. I remember not being able to get a souvenir sweatshirt from the day because they were sold out by the time my Mum had finished her team manager duties!

I might have grown a lot since then but Mum is still out there as team manager and enjoying it as much as ever.

Speak to you soon.

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