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Running in an unseasonal blizzard

Hicham shares the Albuquerque quirky weather
21st March 2005
Hi everyone, time for another diary update.

We are still out here in Albuquerque finishing off this block of training for London. Today I did my last long run out here which went well and am now looking forward to this coming weekend when I will race in the Crescent City Classic 10k in New Orleans.

It is a long time since the New York Marathon and I'm looking forward to getting out and racing again. The Crescent City Classic was actually my first ever 10k race when I competed there back in 1997. I really enjoyed the race and the city - another reason I'm looking forward to it.

Sushi time

We have had some freak weather here over the last week or so. After really nice weather we received a 6-8 inch dump of snow last Monday which modified training a little bit. The previous day I had been shooting a new NIKE commercial with Hicham El G in perfect weather, so we were really lucky that mother nature held back the snow for an extra day. I went from running in a vest top and shorts one day to a blizzard the next day where I had to run back and forwards along a quiet road as the snow was so deep anywhere else. Thankfully the snow cleared very quickly once the sun reappeared and temperatures started to get back to something more normal for this time of year.

Having dinner with Hicham and friends

It is not quite as warm as reports say St Etienne was for the World XC though! This weekend we have been getting up a bit earlier to check the results from France. After the sad experience Kenenisa Bekele has had to deal with, I was pleased to see him retain his titles. The course looked tough and testing and it was good to see such a good crowd turn out on both days. From a British point of view results were disappointing, hit by illness and bad luck, but I was very pleased to see Emily Pidgeon run so well in the junior girls race and also Sian Edwards, close behind Emily and herself still only 16. Also a good run from Mo Farah in the senior mens long race. I am glad to see that he has had a good period of injury free training and hopefully he can build off his winter base for a great summer on the track.

Best Wishes,

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