I'm really not liking this cold weather at the moment! Its this time of year I start wishing I lived somewhere like Australia! For my run session on Tuesday it was -4. Was hard work getting my legs to move! Then spent the whole week on the turbo for my bike rides as I'm not risking coming off on ice again. Borrrring!

I was quite lucky(ish) with the weather for my 10k race on Sunday though. It was freezing when I went for a run on Saturday morning but come Sunday it had warmed up to a tropical 10.5!! But with this came the wind. Had an ok race - came first. An enjoyable course - quite undulating.

Now for a few weeks of good training before the next one! I also have my tri coaching course to look forward to in 2 weeks.

I took part in a little 5k race in Manchester on Sunday. It was freezing cold and when we got there the ground was icy! I ran a fairly cautious race – some tight bends with icy conditions meant slowing into them. I came 1st though which is always good, just would have liked to have been quicker as my running is going really well at the moment. I'll just have to put it into my next race at the end of the month.

I also had a little accident earlier in the week! Whilst on my bike on Wednesday morning I skidded on ice and came off! A bit bruised and shaken and a tight neck but all ok now. I really should have been on my turbo instead of chancing the conditions – lesson learned!!

On Sunday I competed in the Leeds Abbey Dash 10k. During the week building up to the race I checked the weather forecast a few times and it wasn't looking good – lots of wind! I don't mind the cold or light rain but really didn't want it to be windy as I wanted to get a good time.

For the 6,000 or so of us taking part in the race we really lucked out. Cold but sunny and no wind!! Great running conditions. (Apparently it was grim everywhere else)! I had a really good race and got within 1 second of my pb clocking 35.53 and finishing 13th. I started off a bit too quick and went through 1k in 3.20! Luckily it didn't mess me up too much. I'm really pleased to get so close to my pb on my first race for almost 3 months – there's definitely a lot more to come.

Had a good break from training with a nice week away in Portugal. Tried to surf but not very good - had a lot of fun trying though! Managed to squeeze in a few morning runs on the beech!!

Back into full training now and have a 10k planned for next weekend in Leeds. Looking forward to it as it attracts quite a good field. Had a great training session last Tuesday so feeling confident.

Did the Sutton Six 10k yesterday. Came 1st in 36.28 and it was also the Cheshire Champs. Ran comfortably with no pressures to do anything time wise. The girl who came 2nd was thanking me for pulling her around in a pb! That's probably what I could have done with for the the previous 10k's I've done this year! Might have got my times then.

Season over and finished on a high with that 10k and also the London duathlon.
A nice break from training now with a holiday to Portugal in October – can't wait!!

A much happier KC now!! I won my race yesterday!! It was the London duathlon and I took part in the elite race. I was so nervous in the build up before the race. Took the first run nice and easy picking it up just before transition in case I messed things up. On the bike I was hoping the girl I ran with was going to be there so we could take advantage of it being a drafting race and work together. There seemed to be no sign of her so I had to get on with it. Came through in 1st off the bike then onto the 2nd run where I stayed in first and won by 2 minutes!! Really pleased.

I'm feeling so disappointed. I had news a couple of days ago that I haven't made the team for the worlds. I understand that I haven't made the times for 5k and 10k (managed to squeeze 2 more races in – 26 July 10k at Battersea Park and 4 August 5k at Battersea Park came 1st in both with times just outside what I needed). What is most frustrating is that there are places to take four girls but they are only taking one!
I feel let down with the time frame I was given to get these times – 4 weeks isn't really enough, considering I've been asking since March. I also think I was trying to do too many races in this time to try to get these times.
Anyway enough gloominess about it all. I'm just gonna make sure I work hard during the winter, hopefully stay injury free and come back next year ready to prove myself.
I'm going to do the elite race at the London duathlon in a few weeks time and prove what I'm capable of. So watch this space......!