A Few Steps Backward... A Few Steps Forward!

New York Diamond League

Rome Diamond League

The last four weeks have been mind numbing. Before the Rome Diamond league last month, I picked up what I thought was a tightness in my calf. I decided to continue training and race - in order to try and gain a World Championship 'A' Time. Thankfully, I did manage to do this... and recorded my second fastest time ever at 9.41 – although it wasn't as quick as I would of liked! On my return to the UK, my leg was getting increasingly worse each day and so I made the decision to head down to the UK Athletics base in Loughborough. A few scans revealed that my 'calf tightness' was actually brought on by the start of a stress fracture in my shin which was also causing some inflammation and a 6cm oedema into the side/back of my calf. The only explanation I have, that may have caused this, is purely bio-mechanically, from the way I land in the water jump – as all of my bone density scans came back well above average. Maybe another reason – or pure coincidence – is that I continued running in my orthotics without a tiny bit of material that was missing under my big toe – who knows if this caused anything – but I can assure you, from now on, my orthotics will be glued to my feet! The doctors advised that I end my season, as in order for the bone to heal, it would take a good 5-6weeks of absolutely no impact. Knowing that the World Championship trials were only 3 weeks away and the fact that I had put in so much hard work over the winter, in order to be in the best possible physical shape – I couldn't accept that my season had to finish - and so - I went against the medical advice. I tried to miss the steeplechase at the trials and opt for a flat race in order to show that I was fit but unable to hurdle with the current stress I have on the bone – but UK Athletics informed me that I would not be selected on my A time alone and that if I wanted to make the team – I had to race trials. Thankfully things turned out in my favour and looking back, I am obviously happy I made the decision to go ahead and race.

Ice bath....eurgh

UK Athletics have been unbelievable with their help in order to get me back fit and healthy and I honestly could not thank the medical team enough for their support. Once I had made the decision that I was going to continue running – they accepted it and have supported me along the way. The best way to describe them is a quote from Christian Malcolm “They're like a boy-band.. like One direction or something.. a dream team” - this absolutely cracked me up because it's true... although, maybe 1D in like 15 years time.

Loughborough track..

To me, it was a pretty simple decision. I couldn't of sat at home watching the World Trials on TV or even worse the World Championships thinking 'what if'. Two years ago, I made the World Champ team but was forced to end my season due to a fully fractured foot and I couldn't believe that exactly two years later, I was in another similar situation! In order to keep training through this injury – I had just over two weeks of no running and have had to do all of my training on the cross trainer, watt-bike and in the swimming pool. MIND NUMBING. The other day in the pool, I was dying and making so much noise throughout my aqua-jogging session – that a swimmer actually stopped mid-way in the lane to ask if I was ok! Now, I am able to do two sessions on the track running, every week, but absolutely no other running at all in order to make sure the bone can attempt to heal. It has been extremely frustrating. I've never really realised how much athletics does control my life – it's quite easy to get sucked into all your own issues rather than noticing what's really important. Family, friends, relationships all become a blur which is definitely not healthy. I would drive past people, out for a casual jog and actually feel jealous. How weird is that?! I wanted to do what they were doing and couldn’t understand why my body wouldn't allow me to do it! The first week after my scans and chat with the doctor, it was stupid the amount of times I broke down crying – I very rarely cry... but it gets so frustrating after all the hard training you put in - for it to disappear in an instance. I eventually wised up after a few days and realised that things really weren't that bad – I was alive and well and nothing really to complain about - apart from the fact I couldn’t do my hobby for a few months! Looking back – it's actually pretty embarrassing how selfish you do become.

Loughborough training

Essential Vitamin D

Running becomes obsessive. Every minute on the cross trainer, all I could think about was making that World Championship team and I would actually envisage myself racing the last lap at the Trials – only that last lap, over and over, again and again – a single 400m! I'm usually not this much of a weirdo – I promise! But for some reason this injury turned me into a complete running geek. Don't get me wrong – I love athletics but talking/thinking about it 24/7 is a definite no-no. It should never take over your life but during a period of being injured – everything seems to be intensified!

During Wimbledon.. This guy was wandering around campus..

The doctor made me very aware of all the risks and I am surprised he didn’t kick me out his office with the bijillion questions I continued to ruin his life with. He must have been so relieved every time I got out of there. However, he does have a fantastic set of teeth and a pretty good bone structure which makes it less upsetting when he tells you some bad news. The main thing for me, regarding this whole injury was that I needed to be clear in my head of what was exactly going on and whether there was a chance I could continue to race on it.

Me: “So what's the worst possible thing that can happen? Can my leg snap in half?”

Doc: “No.... your leg won't snap in half! But there is a very high risk of it fracturing”

Me: “Ok..... i'll race then.”

Scenario 1: Continue training and racing - worst possible outcome happens - I sustained a fracture. I will be forced into ending my season.

Scenario 2: Stop training and racing – End season.

My nice little outfit for the alter G...

In my head, this is a no-brainer! It made sense to continue... but maybe I have truly lost the plot after staring at the one wall, on a cross trainer for at least 2x 60minutes a day, with a choice between J.Cole or Kendrick Lamar's Album on repeat (I could genuinely write you EVERY SINGLE LYRIC), sweating profusely, with my hair slapped on top of my head like a peacock. I'm painting a really attractive picture of myself. Mmmmm... FIT.

Peacock

In order to qualify for World Champs in 2011 - I managed to run 600m on a completely broken foot! This is nothing compared to that! Thankfully, the World Champs are still another 3 weeks away and so gives my leg more time to recover. Every week there is a slight improvement – albeit SLIGHT being the very important word!! I have had another scan this week which came back with positive signs of healing - thankfully I am not making things any worse!

Anti-gravity treadmill

My first track session back after two weeks of no running (but constantly battering myself on the cross trainer and bike....) was the most horrific experience of my life! I genuinely felt like a whale... trying to run for the first time ever...on a new pair of legs...awkwardly...round in circles. Horrible. The bike and cross trainer had made my legs feel so heavy with the repetitive motion and resistance. I also wasn’t used to the impact of outside running! After a few more sessions the fluidity of running promptly came back. I also quickly found out that I was fitter than ever. Every session, regardless of what distance it was, I was knocking out PB sessions. I couldn't of been happier! Even though my leg is still pretty painful every step – it's manageable. I make sure I was ice it directly after every running session in order to decrease any of the inflammation and have daily checkups with the doc and physios.

The day of the British Championship and World Trials – I have genuinely never been so nervous in my entire life. It was all I had thought about for the past month. Every single bloody day. I was like a scared little rabbit watching all the athletes warm up for their individual events. I knew I was in good shape and capable of doing a flat race – but I was completely unaware of how my leg would hold up jumping 35 barriers – 7 of which would be a water jump! I hadn’t practiced any jumping or hurdles since Rome DL so as you can imagine, my first few jumps were pretty cautious! I thought I was having a minor heart attack after the first water jump – but to be honest, my leg was fine. As soon as I start racing, everything switches off and I don’t feel a thing! I also decided to hurdle the water jump for the first time ever during the race! Maybe not my finest idea – not practising beforehand – but it was the best shout i've ever made. Hurdling it is so much easier than me over-thinking things, in order to step on the barrier. I also feel like it is less impact landing than when I push off. It's definitely something I will be working on over the winter for the 2014 season.

British Champs

British Champion for the second time and now on my way to the World Championships. It's not something I thought I would be saying – so you can imagine how relieved I am! It's also amazing to see SEVEN scottish athletes in the team! Chris O'Hare and myself have been on Scottish School teams since the age of 14 – so its amazing that the both of us are now heading to our first ever World Champs for Team GB!

Hurdling the water jump - British Trials

I am currently en route home from the Monaco Diamond League. I have been seriously lucky with the races I have been invited along to this year. New York, Rome and now Monaco! It really has been an amazing year and it's only July! This was obviously my first trip to Monaco and I seriously didn’t want to ever come home again. The whole place is amazing. All the flash cars, designer stores – obviously just a stone throw away from Dundee or Loughborough...naaaaaaaaat!

My morning view- Monaco

Little walk around Monaco

Casino

I would of loved to have spent a little bit more time there but unfortunately for me – it was a pretty swift visit! I arrived Thursday, raced Friday 9.47pm, eventually got to my bed at 2am and had to get up at 6am for my flight the following morning! I did however get a little wander round the day before my race to take some pictures of the sea view and Monte-Carlo Casino!

Monaco

Mo Farah's 3.28 race!

My race was a bit hit and miss. I was happy to place so highly in 5^th place (considering I was ranked a lot lower) but I was disappointed to run such a slow time – 9.45. I know I am in far better shape than this, but considering everything thats happened over the last month – I probably shouldn’t complain! To me, a huge positive was returning to racing again. It was a bit of a shock to the system to be honest but thankfully I am still in one piece. I have 3 weeks until the World Champs now and I still believe I can make that final – but only if this leg starts to heal! Even on the warm up and warm down my leg is quite painful. Fingers crossed I can start to return to easy running soon or be able to start doing some sort of hurdling in sessions. Again I decided to hurdle the water jump – definitely one of the better decisions i've made – even though it is FAR from perfect – I just feel more confident doing it than stepping on the barrier.

Monaco DL

Closing Ceremony

Monaco Stadium

Whats next?

I am racing the London Diamond League this Friday! It will be nice to return back to the Olympic Stadium again and knowing that this time there is absolutely no pressure as I am racing a 3000m flat. Ive qualified for the worlds now, so for me, a personal best is all I can ask for. It will also be a good indicator of how far my steeplechase time is off of where is should be – as I do feel I am under preforming at the moment in my steeplechase races. But to be honest – i'm just happy that I am even racing at all!

Back to Loughborough...

The 2013 season... A Huge Catch Up..

It has been a long, long time since my last blog but University exams have been slowly destroying my life. However, the good news is – these are now OVER. Goodbye University – Hello big,bad world – well, the athletics world for now. I never ever want to see a number again – unless it's winning lottery numbers. Over the past three months there have been some major changes, one being that I no longer have a home – which is why I have been country-hopping for the past two months! I spent a month training out in Portugal with my Dundee-based training group followed by a month spell in Font-Romeu with UK Athletics. This was my first ever trip to Font so I would like to take the opportunity to thank London Marathon for their support on this camp!

Portugal

Training squad in Portugal

Finally some sunshine!

A full 2 months without killing each other... success. Myself and Muhktar

On my return from Kenya, I decided last minute to test myself over a 3000m indoors at the Birmingham Grand Prix. Unsure as to how the altitude would affect me, I was very wary about how I would feel! Luckily for me, I reacted really well and came away with a new PB. As I was only a few seconds off the European Indoor Championships Qualifying time – I decided to accept an invite to race another 3000m Indoor at the Stockholm GP. I came away with another PB, this time a big chunk off my outdoor time – 8.49 and a second place behind Dibaba. To be fair though, she was so far ahead I could only just see her perky little bum metres ahead in the distance! It was clear that altitude training definitely works for me, so when I was given the opportunity to head out to Font-Rome in April, I jumped at the chance.

Birmingham Indoors GP

Sweden GP

Font-Romeu is a lot lower than Kenya at around 5000ft – so technically steady runs should be easier than out in Kenya. However, the first few sessions I was seriously struggling! Panting like a dog on a hot day, I was in a bad place. I did manage my first ever session over barriers (I realise this is bad – as I am meant to be a steeplechaser) but things actually went really well. Out in Portugal, training had hit a bit of a stand-still so I was glad things were starting to turn around by the time I was out in Font. I was slightly embarrassed to do my session in front of the French Olympic steeplechaser Tahri – he was probably cringing thinking what the hell is that girl doing. My technique is an acquired taste.... haha, but it has improved hugely! The only thing I haven't done since the Olympics is the water-jump. There have been numerous reasons as to why this has happened but every time we aim to do a few run overs after sessions etc. there always seems to be a bigger reason not too – whether that be bad weather or a slight niggle – I just want to limit my chances of getting injured before starting, what should be, a great season for me!

Font-Romeu's snow storm!

Death by the track... at 5000ft!

Font-Romeu Lake

The scenery out in Font is genuinely unbelievable - although I was ready to end my life when the temperature dropped so rapidly. One day I was out sunbathing in a bikini – the next day, I wake up to 10ft of snow, in minutes. Some of the athletes retreated to the underground car park and did their long sunday runs around a 75second circle – luckily for me, I managed to find a 2mile loop at the lake - of which a snow-plough had just cleared the way. God clearly thought we were too lucky though and decided to start a snow storm, which then meant the next few hours were spent trapped in the car, at the bottom of the mountain. One of the coaches decided to try and get wheel spikes for the car but the service station had run out of them! Luckily for us – they certainly hadn’t ran out of pain au chocolats and take-away pizzas. Our snow adventure was complete.

Preparing to run in the snow storm...

Made it to the top! 6mile hill session!

Myseld and Dean.. frozen to death

Pizza in the bath after a TOUGH, SNOWY day...

Another last minute decision to race the Loughborough International was made after a few decent sessions at sea-level.

My first race of the season – 1500m went really well. I managed to knock off two seconds from my personal best to record a 4.09. It also meant I clocked a Scottish Commonwealth Games Standard for 2014 – which is always a bonus! For hours and hours prior to the race, my mum had told myself and Morag (my good friend and training partner from Dundee) that we were both in sub 4.10 shape – and that in order to hit those times we needed to run a 66 first lap. She was constantly banging on and on about this, so when we both heard 68... our hearts dropped! I knew we were in for a bollocking unless we got a move on! Luckily, my legs felt great and so I managed to kick on over the last lap and drag my time back down to a 4.09. It's a far cry from my 4.26 opener last year so hopefully that's a sign of what is to come this season! The weather was perfect though, which is a first for the UK!

Final 100m

Myself and Morag - 1500m, Lough

Training in Loughborough

Not going to lie, it wasn't the most exciting few days of my life! I spent three days in Loughborough before heading down to London for the Olympic Garden Party at Buckingham Palace! But in the space of those three long, long, looooong, boring days... I watched a disgusting amount of 'car-crash TV'. More specifically, (and I apologise in advance.. I am cooler than this, I promise), 5 episodes of Britain’s Got Talent, 2 episodes of The Voice, 1 episode of The Valleys, 1 episode of Made in Chelsea (this doesn’t count as it's amazing) aaaaaand 2 episodes of The Apprentice. I did dispute, internally in my head, as to whether I should admit to this or not... Probably not.

Ready for the Garden Party!

Hey Queenie! 

Landaaaaan!

Buckingham Palace

The Garden Party at Buckingham Palace was thankfully a lot more exciting. Obviously, I was slightly upset that my chance to become royalty quickly vanished at the no-show of Prince Harry but the sight of the Queen and Kate Middleton, got me through such a tough time. It was pretty sweet getting the opportunity to walk through Buckingham Palace towards the gardens – although by the grand scale of it, it's not quite a 'garden', more a huge park! It was all quite a posh occasion – of which all of Team GB were meant to be in their matching 'Official Next Formalwear'. Not Eilish though, as usual, I couldn't find my GB dress! So it was a last minute scurry around my wardrobe to find a 'summer dress'. I also then realised, I had no shoes other than my trainers – cue my boyfriend's amazing sister, Katie – I had a lovely pair of flat shoes. Then... I realised I didn't have any black tights, which meant I spent the full two hours annoying my boyfriend asking if my dress was too short, if it had moved or if my bum was exposed. Queenie would not have been happy with me. This was all topped off by the fact, I also didn't have a hat! I think I can forget about marrying into royalty anytime soon...

Central Park

The next race of my summer season, my first 3000m steeplechase of the year, was at the New York Diamond League. I was pretty excited about the opportunity of heading to New York again and especially, for my first ever track race in America. Unfortunately it didn’t go as well as I had hoped – although it wasn’t a disaster. The weather was pretty horrific – strong winds, brisk temperatures topped off by torrential rain – it was like being back in Scotland! The pace was set for the top africans at 3.05 for the first K – which would have been perfect for me to just sit at the back of the pack. However, it was much, much slower right from the gun which meant that the whole field was very bunched. I ran consistent, consistently slow... but managed to pick up the last K by quite a bit to record 9.45. To be honest, I shouldn't really be disappointed as it's my quickest ever opener in the steeplechase and my 3^rd fastest time ever – but I really was. I was so angry at myself, as I know I am in much better shape than that! My hurdling has improved greatly from last year and my fitness is a world apart compared to 2012 – however my water jump is still letting me down. This is something I will definitely start to work on and develop over the next few years. The main thing for me is that i'm healthy and injury free. I've had one good race, one mediocre race, two commonwealth qualifying times and a World Championship B time – only 2 seconds off the A standard - and its only May. So... I really shouldn't be complaining - although I am never happy and always looking for better!

Ichann Stadium, NY

Living the high life... Shreddies in a cup. Playa.

New york is amazing though – I wish I could go out at some point for a holiday rather than for racing! As an athlete you never actually get to witness the city or go sightseeing – my sights involved... a bus, a hotel room and a restaurant. That's a slight lie – this time I had a good few hours before my flight home and so spent a couple of hours running along 5^th Avenue...but shopping this time!

Miniature cupcakes from Baked by Melissa, NY

It was also pretty cool getting to watch Tyson Gay and David Rudisha warming up after I had finished running. Both athletes, I have never actually had the chance to see in real-life – they are raaaaapid. Another favourite was Blanka Vlasic – I always get ripped for saying this – but she is unbelievable looking! I was too shy/depressed to ask for any pictures so your just going to have to take my word on those hard-earned facts I have produced for you guys!

Scraping my hair back for a 7.5 hour flight... creating my 5head.

My final investment before I left New York was a disgusting amount of Twizzlers. I think it might be classed as a serious addiction – so much so, that when I run out, I order them online at ridiculous prices! I'm determined to start a petition to get them brought out in UK supermarkets – they will genuinely enrich lives... and save me some pennies. :)

The best 'candy' in the world.

What's next? Well... it's now a waiting game to see what races I can get myself into. Fingers crossed – Rome Diamond League! If not, I will be doing a small 1500m race in the Netherlands followed by the 3000m SC at the Birmingham Diamond League at the end of June!

Back to training at Caird Park, Dundee

It's been a long time since I last wrote on here – hence this novel - eeek. Good riddance for another few months! :D

Kenyaaaaaa

Iten - Home of Champions

I was pretty skeptical about heading over to Kenya on my first ever altitude trip and had previously declined to go out with the Uk Athletics Endurance Squad as I felt training was going well enough at home. Another limiting factor in my head – was that I have struggled with low iron in the past and so didn't want to risk becoming anaemic again – as it is a total ball ache to get yourself fit and healthy again! But after much persuasion from Big Liz (coach), we decided that an initial 3 weeks training spell in January – whilst the apocalypse is happening back in Scotland (weather wise) – would be beneficial. Within my first day of stepping foot in Iten, my opinions changed dramatically. I asked if I could stay out a further week and a half – but to be honest – I would of gladly stayed out for longer had I not had to return back to my real life... University – boo!

The whole culture in Iten is just completely different to anything I have ever seen before. Running is normal. Back in Dundee, Scotland... running is not normal. You have to persuade people out on a run by claiming they can have a McDonald's after it or that they can down 10 Jaeger bombs later that evening and still keep fit. On my first steady run, we had several little kids – no older than 5, with no shoes on – running alongside us for a good mile. It was amazing to see. They get excited seeing 'mazungos' (white people) out running and so come along and join them. Every single run I did there were always kids joining in, asking my name, what country I came from – a really unique experience. I would literally have to throw my little brothers Xbox out the window to watch him run outside 2metres to collect it – yet these BABIES were out casually jogging alongside me. Everyone kept mentioning that the kids eventually become quite irritating as many of them only know very limited english words – these words being 'How are you'... to which I honestly must of heard a billion times. But to me, it was never irritating. I was too much of a melt – answering every single time someone shouted “HOW ARE YOU” from miles away. It's much nicer than ' RUN, FOREST RUN' or '118' being shouted at you...

I had one little girl run alongside me, in her shiny Sunday Church dress for a good 2 mile – she was telling me how she loved running and that one day she hoped she could be like David Rudisha. Kenyan athletes to these kids are like gods – athletics offers a way out for most people but the main problem is – there are HUNDREDS of top class athletes, even just from this one town!

Track session

Asbel Kiprop

track session

the stream of kenyans

Going down to the track was an experience in itself. The dirt track was completely invaded with hundreds of kenyans all doing sessions at 9am on a Tuesday morning – and when I say hundreds that is no exaggeration. In one separate training group, doing 20x 1k reps, we counted 58 kenyan athletes. 58!!! I also spotted, former Olympic 1500m Champion Asbel Kiprop, casually running around in the huge group. I could of sat and watched them training all day, running is so effortless and full-time for these guys. That's the difference to back home, there are so many distractions – silly little things you don’t think about until you realise out in Kenya they aren’t there. It is the bare minimum – constant power cuts,cold showers, limited internet etc. Thankfully within Lorna Kipligat's High Altitude Training Centre we do have certain 'luxuries' that allow us to keep sane.

My kenyan dust-tan

Shower

The food within the camp was actually not as bad as I expected it to be – although after 4 weeks it does get a bit repetitive. Ugali (a sort of maize.. not sure how to describe it – but it tastes of nothing, has the texture of play-doh and if you threw it against a wall, it would probably stay there) but the Kenyans SWEAR by it. The other food we received every evening was Kale (looks a bit like seaweed – still don’t actually know what it is...). Alongside these two wonderful kenyan delights were more standard 'home foods' which ended up being some sort of 'beef' stew most evenings. Every day was set and so after 4 weeks you knew exactly what was coming up. In the evenings for desert we were mainly given watermelon or oranges but ONE DAY a week, we had cake day. The best day of my life. It was hilarious to see how everyone's moods completely lift on 'cake day' but extremely worrying how quick the freshly cooked cake and chocolate sauce vanished. People were skipping their main meals to get their cake fix before returning back to the Ugali and Kale.

CAKE

Breakfast and lunch were by far the best meals of the day. Every morning there were always freshly cooked pancakes or crepes along with some variance of eggs. One lucky morning we were treated to 'mandazies' – genuinely amazing – like little doughnuts with a slight taste of cinnamon. Lunch consisted of rice or pasta most days along with lentils or vegetables – but the most amazing part were the freshly cooked warm bread rolls. I genuinely lived off of 8 bread rolls and jam every single day out there – so, so good.

The ONLY time I got in the pool - picture proof that it DID happen.

Daily life in Kenya is pretty simple. Everyone gets up, has breakfast, meets for their morning run, gym, shower (well.... some people.. mainly the girls), lunch, chill out/play angry birds/nap/explore, go out for our second run, gym, shower, tea, play cards/quizzes, bed. It is genuinely like that- EVERY SINGLE DAY. Crazy, wild lifestyle....It does get repetitive but once you are back home, you really do appreciate how nice it is to live like that – simple. Card games were a vital part of the evenings as there was genuinely nothing else to do. Thankfully one day a week, Gaz (physiologist) made up a quiz for everyone to take part in. Without Gaz around, the evenings would have been a lot duller. Myself and Dean Miller are the two undefeated team members of BOTH quizzes – clearly just far too intelligent for the rest of the group.

Myself, Gaz and Del

Mo-bot

We were very fortunate to have a really good selection of folk out in Kenya. When I initially looked at the list, I only really knew a few... but after 4 weeks of being thrown into such an enclosed camp – you get to know everyone pretty well! Mo Farah's room was directly across from my own which was lucky for me as whenever my shower went cold, Mo's went cold and it was always swiftly fixed by the local 'DIY' man who worked at the centre, Willy. For a double Olympic Champion – Mo is so laid-back and genuinely one of the nicest and most down-to-earth person i've had the opportunity of meeting. And from speaking to the other athletes – he seems to be the exact same person he was before his huge success within the sport – which is hugely refreshing to see.

Willy Songok... getting really into some Jerry Springer (look what i brought to the Kenyan culture... car crash TV shows!)
Thank me later Kenya...

There were some really funny moments out in Kenya but it's a different situation were in now - social media has taken over - a small, funny story can be taken way out of context and blown out of proportion so unfortunately they will be saved for family and friends, maybe i'll write an anonymous book in years to come and make a shed load of money...or not... :)

The 'World Champ' trees

St Patrick's dining hall

We were lucky enough to go on small trips throughout our free time. One to the Giraffe Park and the other to St. Patrick's School. They were both pretty sweet – the 'giraffe keeper' was so casual about the fact we were standing less than a metre away from these huge giraffes. Health and safety precautions aren’t particularly high on kenyan's lists – I quickly realised – but it made it all the more exciting compared to back home! St. Patrick's School is quite a well known boarding school due to the fact that the school has produced a ridiculous amount of Junior and Senior World Champions – who all get to plant their own little tree in the grounds – so cute. The school has the craziest athletics records I have ever seen! It was pretty cool to have a look around and visit the kids classrooms and dorms, it's a bit of a contrast to boarding schools over here.

The crazy school records

St, Patricks Dorms

One day, myself, Jenn Walsh, David Devine and Dean Miller decided to take the trek into Eldoret for one reason, and one reason only – CHOCOLATE! Iten had very, very limited supplies of chocolate and after three weeks, I really started to crave some. Everyone had told us to hire a 'matatu' (a small van used as a taxi...although it definitely wouldn’t class as a van back in the UK...) but instead we decided to flag one down at the side of the road. Not our finest idea. We climbed in but then as the matatu stopped every 5metres along the road, another 3 people would climb in. In a 6 seater van, we had... 14 people! 14!!! Totally crazy but it added to the whole experience.. I couldn't stop laughing – two men were hanging out the door as we were driving away. On the way back – I decided to sit in the front in order to guarantee a seat. After chatting away to the driver, I found out some vital answers to the hundreds of weird questions flying around my head.

1. What happens if a car hits a cow? Who pays? - The person who owns the cow has to pay the driver to fix their car – even though the cows are people's living and worth quite a lot of money!
2. How much do you make as a matatu driver? - $2 a day, then they have to pay the owner of the matatu whom they rent it off.
3. What's his favourite food? - Ugali (he's a liar... it taste like mud) but after a slight language barrier, I found out his 'leisure food' was crisps although he didn't buy them very often.
4. Why do the police stop all the cars? - Most of them are corrupt and take 100 shillings off every vehicle, even if nothing is wrong they will make excuses in order to take some money off the drivers.

Riveting stuff – I know. Thank me later.

Giraffe Park

The views at Kerio View alone, made the trip worthwhile. I have never seen anything like it. There were several Para-gliders staying in our resorts all casually jumping off the side of this mountain (you would honestly have to sedate me in order to get me in the air) and after watching how many of them came back with broken legs and arms – I definitely wont be doing it anytime soon. A funny story though (sort-of), one of the guys landed in another town a few miles away from where we were and banged into some sort of building and managed to damage it. He was met at knife-point with a lot of angry villagers who cut all the ties on his para-glide until he paid them enough to fix their damaged goods. Slightly scary but thats what happens if you decide to throw your body off a cliff – karma.

Kerio View

THE HILL SESSIONNNNNN

The first session I did was a week into the trip in order to allow me to acclimatise to the altitude. On my first easy run – I genuinely thought it was the end of the world. Iten is HILLY, there is genuinely no flat road at all unless you go down to the track. My first 20 minute jog consisted of me crawling up the hills... and I mean crawling. I thought these hills were bad until the first session – UP THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN. I have never seen anything like it. We ended up covering just under 5 miles and yet none of it was even remotely flat. At the top of Kerio View, we decided to take a photo to mark our achievement, however they were having to stop me jumping off the edge and putting myself out of my misery. My legs have never felt anything like it and it allowed me to feel sorry for myself for the rest of the day. If this wasn't bad enough – we then did another 3 sessions up this mountain, genuinely think the coaches were out to end us. Thankfully, I wasn't alone and had a few other crazy athletes join me – Helen Clitheroe, Sonia Samuels, Del Hawkins and Ultra Paul.

The physiologists, who came out with us on the camp were always on-hand in sessions to take lactic levels in order to see how we were coping with the training. I already knew my lactic levels were always quite low but I slowly became the running joke (great pun) amongst the group as my levels were never above 3 – which supposedly is extremely weird. My first tempo run – I only managed to get my lactic up to 1.3... clearly I have been running these far too slow, so it was nice to get some feedback on this part of my training.

My Kenyan-Scottish bracelet 

Kenya was not only an amazing experience but also a bit of an eye-opener into how other athletes from the UK train and why they are as good as they are. These people are professional – I still view athletics as a hobby for me. Yes – I train hard, but at the moment thats the only thing I do. I don't do any gym-work, drills and in my day-to-day life, I don't know what i'm doing in an hours time – never mind sticking to a daily routine. This clearly needs to change and since my return, i've tried my hardest to be more professional and get into a proper routine but it's difficult whilst trying to attend university amongst part-time work etc. Time for a change.

I will definitely be jumping at the chance to return to Kenya again next year. The whole experience is something I wont be forgetting anytime soon. At this time last year, I was just starting back jogging again after months of being out with a broken foot – so I am extremely grateful to UKA for giving me this opportunity and allowing me to have my most successful and consistent winter training season so far.

Saying goodbye to the ladieeees

On my return to the UK, I wasn't sure how I would react to the altitude but also to the long travel home so I decided against racing the trials this weekend and train instead. I ended up doing my quickest ever session by a significant amount – which is unlucky for me... as now Big Liz is determined to get me racing indoors.

Next for me: A serious amount of catching up with university studies. Two races indoors, Birmingham Grand Prix 1500m and then a 3000m in Stockholm– albeit against DIBABA! (getting lapped once would be a positive).