Freewebs http://www.valeroyalseniors.com/newsfromnewmexico.htm http://www.golobos.com/sports/c-xc/recaps/100209aab.html]]> http://www.valeroyalseniors.com/newsfromnewmexico.htm?blogentryid=4533942 2009-10-03T05:24:00-0100
Wow its been a long time since I sent an update (thanks for passing a hint along James!)...I forget that not everyone lives in the facebook world to see the updates on there!!!

Anyway....lots has been happening here since I got back, some good, some not so good.  When I first got back I found out that my ferritin (iron) had gone low again, so my build up to full training was slower than planned.  It just meant that although I could still put in a lot of miles, I couldnt do too much in the way of sessions.  But after 3 weeks another blood test showed that it had recovered to a good enough level for me to hit the training 'properly' again. 

On the brighter side, I now have a new best friend called Hank.  He is a white Saturn L200, and he takes me to lots of fun places to run :o) unfortunately Dad has passed on his obsessive streak of having a clean car...everyone tells me im obsessed as I think Im about the only person in America who washes their car with a bucket and sponge!!!  Hank looks good though!

As most of you know I am training for a marathon in early december...Las Vegas!  So Ive been racking up the miles over the past month.  Im up to 18miles for my long run now, and I nailed that in 2:01 today so things are starting to look up.  That rounded out a 108 mile week for me!

Race wise I have only run 1 so far...down in southern New Mexico.  It was a low key race, and I had to combine it with 3x10mins of tempo running afterwards to put in a decent marathon training day.  the race didnt go too well, but I wasnt in race shape at that point.  I still dont think Im in great race form (at least not over 5k anyway!) but its early in the season and with 10 weeks til my marathon i dont want to be super fit just yet.  Next race is this coming friday in Notre Dame, IN.  A flat, fast 5k round a golf course...definitely not ready for this speedy one but will see what happens!!!

Only other exciting story I have for you is my first rattlesnake encounter!  I was running in the foothills with one of the other girls...I was in front as it was a narrow single file path...I stopped suddenly with an "Oh s**t"...as this 'stick' (that was only about 3ft away from me treading on it) moved, lifted its head to look at me...hissed and rattled.  we promptly turned and ran the other direction.  not too sure who was least happy to see who, but I dont think I would have won a fight with that guy.

Right, thats it for now...pretty long update this time as I hadnt posted one for so long.  Will try and make it more regular if I can!

Hope all is good back home and your all training hard (and trying to keep my old man in check!)

TTFN :o)]]> http://www.valeroyalseniors.com/newsfromnewmexico.htm?blogentryid=4533176 2009-9-27T15:58:00-0100
Once again, I'm killing time in a hotel so figured its as good a time as any to update my blog!  I'm in Oklahoma for our regional track meet...

I ran the 5k yesterday and finished 8th in 16:40...was a busy race and I spent pretty much the first km running in lane 3!  fairly pleased with the placing but kicking myself a bit for not running a smarter race...step in the right direction though. 

Now I just have to wait to find out if I have made it in to the Nationals 10k...27 go and I am ranked 29th so I just need 2 people to scratch which is very likely as several have qualified for the 5 and 10 but no one really runs both.  So all being well, next stop is Nationals in Arkansas in 10 days.

Will keep you all posted...then will see you when I get home at the beginning of July.

Hope all is well in sunny England...

Nic
]]> http://www.valeroyalseniors.com/newsfromnewmexico.htm?blogentryid=4507869 2009-5-30T12:16:00-0100