SNOW - AGAIN

I left my scarf in Loughborough by mistake and told Alex that it didn't matter as spring had come to Latvia. So here we are again - it snowed again in Riga last night! Today was my first serious run since I tore my calf and the woods were beautiful, warm and white. Underfoot was seriously slippery as it was powdery wet snow on ice. I nearly went over a couple of times. I think I have jarred my neck in the process. It really hurts now. What we do to be athletes!

COLD - EXCEPT THIS TIME ITS MINE

Friday I hada good run round South London with Alex Byrne. Then I went on 4 day spree of shopping, watched the National Cross Country, worked for Athletics Weekly and was drinking good wine with Alexes parents. Now I have a cold! My fault entirely. Mind it is raining heavily outside and the snow is slushy everywhere and not much fun at all. I hope it doesnt freeze again or it will be glass like everywhere. Anyway I am now itching to get back to running. I really feel ready to put in miles and race somewhere. I think I shall aim for the Riga half marathon in May. Hopefully though one last ski in Mazsalaca this weekend.

I might also run in the veterans competition in Tampere in August. It is time to remind people I am alive again...........

We shall see how the summer goes.

MAZSALACA

Out on skis today for an hour. It was -12 so my fingers did not enjoy it at all. I was on trhe tracks around Mazsalaca. they have huge potential witha bit of work. The skiing was hard because the tracks had been used when the snow was soft and melting and now the snow was iron hard and with lots of ice around. At least I didnt fall over, but close!!!

My technique needs some hard mileage to sort it out. I was really wobbly much of the time. Funnily my skating was better than my classic. It has been years since that was the case. perhaps the strength training is working at last. Tomorrow is set for -18 so I might not get a chance to go out. lets hope I can.