This week's main event for me was the Intercounties crosscountry championships and meant that I was given the opportunity to wear the Lancashire team vest for the second time. It also gave me the chance to try and prove myself, after what I felt was a below par performance on my Count debut 12 months ago.
Last season, I was just happy to be selected at all really and enjoyed the event, but it also represented a massive learning curve and a tough experience that I took a lot away from. I had a disappointing run and felt that I hadn't come away doing myself any real justice in terms of what I was capable of at that time. I had finished 8th Lancashire counter and 174th overall.
This time, I was determined to finish the crosscountry season off with a performance that I was completely happy with and could say that I had run to the best of my ability and hold my head up. I feel that I also managed to do so.
Having set off out of the blocks and hit the first hill on the opening lap, of the 3 lap 12k total distance course, in approximately 60th position, I grew throughout the run and felt as though I had really settled into a nice consistent rhythm.
I was counted through in 48th position at the end of the opening lap, and then 44th second time around. On the last lap I managed to find myself in a real good tussle with a Middlesex runner and that battle worked out well for the both of us as we managed to gain on the group ahead of us and pick runners off throughout the final kilometres.
In the end, I ran over the finish line as second Lancashire counter and 36th overall, beaten home only by Paddy Dever in he Lancashire team as he had an exceptional run for 21st position. This time I could say I had genuinely given everything and am proud of myself and my performance.
It was an honour to represent my County and wear the red rose vest once again, alongside these boys, and we can all be happy with our performances as the entire side performed well and gave a great account of ourselves. It is another great experience that I will look back on fondly and hopefully gain a lot from.
There had been a few changes to the course this year, compared to the one which we encountered last season. There was a few extra hills introduced to the second and third laps this time, which probably benefited me as I feel that is a strength of my running. I have always felt strong running uphill, and managed to pick people off each time round. Now I need to strengthen my downhill speed ahead of next winter's campaign!
It has been a highly successful winter crosscountry season for me, seen as it started very slowly and initially I had feared that I was weaker at the discipline compared to where I had been 12 months ago!
I have managed to grow consistently through the winter and have peaked at just the right time for the biggest and most important races. Hopefully this is a good indicator and a good starting point for me to now kick on and have a solid road season through the spring and summer.
The only regret this week is that the selection clashed with the Trafford 10k that I had a number for, I had been tempted to try and double up and race on back-to-back days, but for once decided to be sensible, as my main target is still a couple of weeks away with Cardiff Half, the 10k will just have to wait a little while longer.
My form this weekend was also a little bit of a surprise after struggling with a niggling hamstring, which I had to manage carefully after a short, sharp track session on the Tuesday.
Training wise, I have now completed a solid 4 week block of 80+ miles a week, and hopefully I am getting fitter and stronger as a result. On my Thursday tempo, I felt extremely relaxed and comfortable running at a good pace, as I recorded 32:56 for 10k on a training run. It is boding well for Cardiff as long as I can now just keep in this shape and arrive on that start line in one piece. I'm starting to get excited and nervous for it now!
Total mileage for the week: 80
Average pace for the week (m/pm): 6:30
Total mileage for month so far (March): 144
Total mileage so far 2016: 774
Average miles per day 2016: 10.60
