So here we are in Jersey, Channel Islands. It’s the first day of March and I’ve decided I’m in good enough spirits to restart blogging without depressing everyone. It’s been a tough few months personally but things are definitely on the up.

As before I’ll be sticking to a few pet subjects, chief amongst them running. Although I never thought I’d find myself back in Jersey it’s been good to find the running scene in good shape. True, everybody’s a couple of years older and often slower, but there are one or two useful newcomers as well as one or two younger runners pushing through, the product of the very good work now being done at Spartans.

One side effect of some stress-induced weight loss is that I’m running as well as I can remember. Eight days ago I set a big 10k PB on the scenic but hilly St Catherine’s course, 47.52, which by my standards is flying. My best 10k in Ireland was 50.30 on the flat Dunshaughlin course and I was pleased with that!

My immediate target is the Cork Marathon on 7th June. Although the marathon monkey is off my back I’m still annoyed with myself that I’ve failed this race badly not once but twice. Although I’ve tried to rationalise these failures I’m not sure I’ve got all of the answers.

Fifteen days before Cork I have the Hash Half Marathon here in Jersey. I’ve run this several times and it really is a great little race and a fast course. I suppose I ought to be targeting another PB here, but I’m a bit wary of going eyeballs out so soon before a marathon. For a ‘proper’ runner it ought to be no problem but…

But next Sunday I’m looking forward to a club series 20k which fits in rather neatly with my training programme.

Back shortly with updates.