So after the wobbly steeplechase barrier accident in June my 2013 track season didn’t go as planned. The impact to my leg took more out of me than we initially thought and I was unable to get the best out of myself. It was nearly three weeks before I was back in full training and a blood test in July showed most key indicators significantly lower than May levels.

On a brighter note I still managed a UK Women’s League Record over the 2k Chase (at Sport City in Manchester), a Northern Ireland title over 1500m and finished the season off with a 3k Chase Title at the UK Inter-Counties.

So the winter and cross-country season is now approaching us and I am currently back at altitude at Font Romeu in the French Pyrenees. I am in great company this time with a strong Irish squad based out here for three weeks before our first race of the season, the Gerry Farnan XC in Phoenix Park on 20th October.

The weather has been great for us and Chris Jones, Head of Endurance at Athletics Ireland, has set up a great camp out here with plenty of support around us. Everyone has been working hard and we have got some good quality running in over the past two weeks as well as starting to put in the necessary base for next year’s track season. It has been great working with the group for sessions and runs and we are getting into a sound discipline of daily drills, exercises and strength & conditioning that all build towards better running economy.

After the Phoenix Park race I am planning to fly back out to Font Romeu the following day in preparation for the for the next races in Antwerp (Mol) in Belgium (first weekend in November) and after that the Inter-Counties XC & EuroCross Trial in Santry Demesne in Dublin in mid-November.

I keep reminding myself that the most important focus is on being ready for the Commonwealth Games (July) and European Championships (August) next summer. Time is marching on…