It’s better to try and fail, than to never try at all. For some unknown reason my running has picked up over the past few weeks and I’m wanting to feel the hurt again. My sessions are going well and I’m back running 60 miles a week without any niggles or major issues.

There is always the odd bit of soreness but I’m moving towards the best block of training I’ve had all year and feeling good. I spent last week in London where my diet always suffers a little, but it seems if I can keep the training going and get exercise in twice a day I can get away with it once a month.

Three weeks ago after the track season ended in disappointing fashion I was ready to take a brake. Now I’m back feeling fresh and it feels like I’m building a good base for the cross country season. I was watching the 10 mile in the park last Saturday wishing I was running but for once I’m sticking to the plan. In the past week I’ve ran 3 x 12+ mile runs with 6 of each at sub 6 tempo pace. Add to that a session of 12×400 in 67 seconds and 5 x1 mile last Thursday.

I’m now looking forward to the Rathfarnham 5K which is on at the end of September. I’m still no too confident about 15:30 but if I can keep building over the next few weeks and get someone to hang onto I might just get there. I might try one race before hand but a good 5K will set me up for the Winter where we need to win some cross country medals.