I'm back

The end of the year always brings a spell of reflection and this year is no different.

I've run two races in the past week and both have brought significant PBs, which caused me to consider the last few months in particular.

In all, I've recorded personal bests at 3k, 5k, 10k and marathon. Undoubtedly the highlight was sub-4hrs in Amsterdam - even if it was by just one second.

But the 43.27 at Strathaven last Sunday (1 min 28 secs off my previous PB) was a great surprise and then taking 50 seconds off my October 2007 time in the Glasgow Green 3k yesterday was confirmation that I've held on to at least some of the conditioning from the marathon training.

Ironically, being in London Monday-Friday has so far allowed me to train more regularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I've found Mornington Chasers in Camden to be very welcoming.

I've done tempo runs on Tuesdays at a higher pace than I'd have done at home because I haven't yet found my "level" within the club. Thursday nights are either track or hill sessions. I've done one of each and have felt the benefits.

Sundays will be at least 10 miles from here on, probably around Chatelherault. It's good to be back on home soil for those!

No big targets for the foreseeable future, just to enjoy running and do well in the job in London. Race-wise, the next one will be the Cambuslang 10k on December 28 and I fancy the Jack Crawford 10k along the Forth and Clyde Canal on January 17.

There's also the new Glasgow parkrun in Pollok Park on Saturday mornings. They look like being good fun.

First chance I'll have to do one of those is December 21.

Onwards and upwards!