Couldn’t find a suitable picture!

I stacked it a treat on my bike yesterday….Thanks guys for the support.

It almost happened…I got a hole in my cycling shorts and 1cm more to the left would have left me being done for indecent exposure!

Clark Ellice and I were out riding and he put in a sprint…I responded, but my gears were not smooth and my chain came off.  I was going too fast to hold on and I hit the deck at full speed.  It’s my fault…

I got up straight away and went to the grassy bank on the side of the road.  I looked up and my bike was on both wheels still going along on its own!

I tried to get up a few times but kept fainting.  I could see there was no bones broken but my wounds were nasty…loads of gashes as you can imagine.  The worst being a deep one on the elbow down to the tendons/bone.

Some lovely people stopped straight away (thanks so much guys) and took Clark and I to a random A&E and Rick met me out there.  They gave me 9 stitches to my elbow.  I wanted to do it myself as I saw Jack Bauer from 24 do it a few days earlier!

5hrs later I was up on my feet and buzzing from pain killers!  I walked out feeling sorry for myself but then I heard…”DOCTOR DOCTOR! CLEAR!!! BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPP” so I consider myself lucky because the crash was fast and I came off well…

No swimming for 10 days, No running for ? No Cycling for ? I’m taking a good 3 days + off.  I will pick up some exercise where I feel like I can/want to.  As far as I’m concerned Budapest is finished for me.  2 weeks no swimming means coming out too far down out the swim.  I’m burnt out anyway running! Blessing in disguise? Is my bad luck telling me something? I haven’t had more then 3 weeks off in my career.  I’ve never had an injury…I’m going to take 5 weeks off at the end of the year anyway, This may make it 8 weeks now.  I think it will do me some good having a long rest…It’ll deffo make me fresh in the head.

I’m not making any decisions regarding Budapest/La Baule and Nationals.  See how it heals up. I plan to pick up a lot of running If I feel I can.

I have to give a special post to Stu Hayes…

He won his first World Championships Series this weekend.  It was the best possible field so far and he smashed everyone.

His perseverance payed off, he was going to throw in the towel last year but he came back determined to make it work and pulled of a fantastic win from a breakaway where he and other guys got 2 mins advantage!

He knew this was his only chance to win and he committed 100% to it! Was really exciting to see.  Couldn’t have gone to a person more deserving trust me! Stu lives and breaths it!

Good on you mate…enjoy it!

I’m afraid there was no magic again for me in Kitzbuhel this weekend, it’s not been the best season, just a handful of races to be really proud of…I’ll get my excuses out now!

To be honest I’ve just been digging myself into a deeper hole as each race goes on and now I am more or less at rock bottom.

I haven’t been 100% for a good 2 months now really, I hate to admit it but it’s not going to happen this year…not at this level. I appreciate all the messages of encouragement from my friends but the remaining races of the season are not salvageable!  It’s not in my head, and it’s also not in my body.

My team and myself took a punt this winter and we got my training wrong.  It was no where near enough volume and way too much intensity.  To be honest I was ready in December to race at a high level.  I ran a super quick 4 miler that I am pretty sure I couldn’t run right now.  So I’m burnt out! I have no magic in the races hence no results.  You need magic in World Class races.  

It is frustrating because I know I can get to the top level, my session quality has been fantastic but unfortunately I deviated too far from the right formula this time.

My thoughts at the moment…

-I’m going to get a blood test when I get back (just to rule stuff out)

-I know for next year not to do this again! 

-I know I can get fast in just a few months

-I know I am an athlete that needs to do a lot of training.

-Running 3 sessions a week is a good way to burn yourself out.

-Go with your instincts

-An athlete of my age almost knows best…I should draw on my experience.

-Can we please go away somewhere hot this winter coach!?

-I’m not the only one… we’re all taking risks and pushing the limits in different ways, sometimes we get it wrong!

I learnt quite a bit this year, certainly a lot I can take into next year.  So I’m excited and there will be a lot of change in the winter of 2011. One thing is for sure…I won’t be spending the winter at home.

As for the rest of the year…1 more World Championships Series to salvage, I will be working the next 3 weeks with Rick Velati (Karate, Karate Velati, Velatius, Rockard, Rocky, Boss) Doing lots of miles and lots of hill running! To see if doing what I haven’t been doing will help make a difference.  A desperate plea to be honest! I don’t expect much in Budapest but if I can finish top 15 it will probably give me a World ranking which doesn’t look too shabby considering my season. I also have 2 races in a weekend to round off the season in La Baule for a French GP and National Champs.  Keep your head down for 3 more weeks Will.  If nothing else for pride and to make my wedding and holidays feel more special.

I did have a BLOODY good swim though!!!