The race had a 3k /200k/ 20k format and to boot a fantastic prize purse.

Good start to the season Fraser….long may it continue!

1 ) Eneko Llanos 6:34:37

2 ) Dirk Bockel 6:35:30 (+0:53)

3 ) Rasmus Henning 6:36:07 (+1:30)
4 ) Fraser Cartmell 6:36:12 (+1:36)
5 ) Frederik Van Lierde 6:36:31 (+1:55)
6 ) Faris Al-Sultan 6:37:53 (+3:16)
7 ) Jordan Rapp 6:38:02 (+3:25)

It seems Dann Brook and Phil Graves had a very tough day out. They both came in together which makes me think they decided not to fight it out so early in the season! Well done boys, Dann B has had a tough start to the winter so well done him for getting round:)

He ran 28:02 solo at the weekend in Trafford for the 9th fastest 10k ever by a Brit!

I knew Thommo a bit from Loughborough, I only ever managed to jump into a few sessions with him but I am pretty sure that he wasn’t any where near as fit as he is now.  We did 10×600m on the track a couple of years ago.  We had 200m ‘Float’ rest in between each rep but this ‘float’ was in 45 seconds…My target pace was 65 secs 400m pace which was tough but on the last few these boys were tapping through 400m in sub 60.

What is so exciting is Chris has been so unlucky with Injuries.  To the point where I think he thought he would have to knock it on the head. The whole time we were at Loughborough he struggled and could never get consistent but since he has been training in the USA, he has been injury free and flying! I think he is one of those guys who only needs 5 weeks to run fast!

Good luck buddy.

Esquire Magazine Shoot, April 2010

I managed to find a few pictures from the Cross Country.  I Felt fine coming off it although they do leave you in a bit of a hole for a while. Check out the mud!  You can guarantee that you will get a good work out at these events…

My next one is the UK Inter Counties next week, this is the big one really.  Top 8 from Each County in the UK head to head.  I am really looking for a top 20 in this one, It think if I achieve around this it is great news for the 2010 season…I feel like this is on but it all depends on how hard next week feels! The course is flat and firm so that should help a lot as hilly muddy slog courses don’t help a tired Triathlete.

People around the world have started their seasons now, I have the last XC to race, a 10k in Dublin and the National Duathlon Champs to keep my occupied but I still have 2 months till my first big race in Seoul for the World Championships Series. I’m a bit gutted that I won’t be in Australia but I really can’t be bothered to head all the way out there! It’s a journey that really puts a halt to consistency so I thought I would miss this one!  It also gives me a chance to put together two more tough blocks to ensure I have prepared properly.

Thanks for reading.

Apparently she is the Official Olympic Artist and i think they are also going up for her Degree show.

Her Website is still being finished. I will put up the link later.

Can you guess who these people are? No points for my one…by the way, I am not that lean yet…If i was you would be seeing some serious 28:30 10k’s!

This one was taken in the shower by the way!

I rocking in 23rd.  I was pretty happy with this. it’s a pretty solid result for me in the middle of my winter training and I finished with some big names in the sport. It bodes well for my Triathlon season.

It didn’t all go smoothly though, I was a bit ill the day before which didn’t help and I didn’t feel that good while I was racing although that is probably mostly down to the tough course! There was a serious hill in each lap that you couldn’t run properly up.  I kept feeling sick at the top of that!

It was a good fun race, 1400 athletes on the start line and as usual it was really fast at the front. Would recommend anyone to enter through their club.

I only stacked it once this time which was good. In the Southerns I fell twice!

This is Andy Vernon, the eventual winner. He’s a bit of a star and still 24 years old. Doesn’t look like he is really built for XC but he’s bloody quick!

Bathroom 3 hrs later

Finished Product

Was a tough camp, got in a lot of intensity so feeling pretty smashed. I now have an easy week though to adapt before we make another push! This winter is never ending I tell you.  It doesn’t help that it’s still snowing.  Usually I go to South Africa for a big block, without that this year it is seeming like a very long time!

I have a few lab tests this week, one Sub Maximal test on the bike and one on the run.  Hopefully my thresholds in both have moved on!

At the weekend I am bringing out the 15mm spikes again for the National Cross Country up in Leeds.  I’m really looking forward to it.  Hopefully Spain is out of the legs (no chance!) There are quite a few familiar names racing so it should be a fun day out!