Another week of pacing up and down the pool, but have also managed to get a few cycle sessions in. 

I have started running again, the ankle seems to be holding up quite well now, should be up to full speed this week. Had a few early morning starts and boy has it been cold, the car thermometer read -4 on Friday. I have been joined on the runs by Shropshire’s heavy weight boxing champ “Believe Walters” and his training bubby, Rambo Rupert, the Lawley’s the limit!!! 

I was in the land of the leprecon this weekend, a city break present from my wife Joanne. We were joined in Cork by my brother Henry and his wife Johan. We all had a great time, very relaxing, eat loads and had a good sample of Guinness!!!!

Till next week………… 

Hi Gang!

Another busy week at work and on the training front.

Caldwell and Fisher productions visted on Tuesday. Pebbles and Gemma will be producing a documentary about the Arch to Arc and the tragic disappearance of my cousin Blake. - I know they will do a great job.    

I turned 27 on Wednesday, another year older and as they say another year wiser. I took the night off training and went out for a Birthday meal to the local pub with the family - had a fantastic time. The picture this week is of the birthday cake my mother made for me, yes I am very much a Mummy’s boy!!! Thanks Mum the cookies and scrunch were awesome.

Training consisted of a steady week of swimming; my ankle still has not fully healed after the run in with the rabbit hole. I am starting to feel a bit more confident with swimming but have got a lot more hours of plodding up and down the pool to do. 

I would like to mention one of my sponsors, Forgoodneshakes. They have been fantastic, and have supplied me with plenty of their recovery shakes. These I have been using after every training session, I must admit I do feel strong enough to complete a quality work out the following day.     

Following Steve’s training programme, this week has started off really well. The swimming has increased which has been a big effort especially after a long day at work, but I am getting there. A massive thank you to one of my sponsors, Mule Bar who have given me the strength to complete a quality work out. Their bars taste awesome, easy to eat and most importantly, they do work!

Friday morning was a bit of a disaster. I had finished my run and was walking back to the car. In the depth of conversation with my pal Fred, I managed to put my foot in a rabbit hole and went over on my ankle. Luckily I have not done a great deal of damage, a slight strain and some soft tissue damage. I am having physio, and hope to be back to normal, but it looks like I will be in the swimming pool for the next few weeks.

This week was a very steady 1st week on the training front with small runs over the local hills and swimming at the gym. At the moment I am trying out different goggles at to ensure I find the correct style from me for when I start the long open water sessions.

I was lucky enough to receive sponsorship from two excellent companies – Exposure Lights and Ironman Active wear. Exposure lights sent me a Joystick MaXx which is a fantastic light ideal for the on the bike and running. I have been using when running at night over the hill and it is a fantastic bit of kit that I would recommend to anyone. Ironman Active wear have allowed me to choose from there great selection of training kit. This will be a massive help for me as I got some brilliant kit – Thankyou.

Hi Folks

I take it you all had very Merry Christmas and will have a prosperous 2008! I had a fantastic family Christmas here in wet and windy Shropshire. This made running in the beautiful hills all the more interesting!

After Christmas I was fortunate enough to have a break from training in Soll Austria skiing, if you can call skiing a break!! Söll ski resort is located in the scenic valley close to the German border, Söll forms part of Austria’s large 250 km. linked ski and snowboard area, known as the Ski Welt, in the Wilder Kaiser mountain range. I went skiing with my beautiful wife Joanne and her folks – Bob and Ann. Most mornings I would get up and go for a pre ski run along the cross country ski track, this is a really good way to ensure you were awake as some mornings it was -13 degrees C!!

Holiday fun over and now to the serious stuff – Training starts with my coach Steve Haywood I will begin my build up to the Arch to Arc! Watch this space………..