I got back into the full swing of things this week. Nick has us back into a bit of a heavy training phase over the next 2/3 weeks before the season kicks off at the end of the month.

Tuesday session was 4x300m off short recoveries, so just had to be careful not to go mad over the first one or two reps and then blow up in the remaining runs. At this time of year your ready to run fast, and that is what we did out in LA, but this phase is all about working hard again, so just have to keep an eye on the short recoveries.

I had a good session anyway, and ran each run nice and relaxed.

Usual gym workout on Wednesday morning followed by pilates in the afternoon and was out on the grass on Thursday morning, head to toe in clothes, the weather is gone back to March, where's the sun!!!! Session was 4 x 35 seconds. I hit them hard, short though session, with plenty of lactic acid when I was finished.

I flew home to Dublin on Thursday evening, dodged the ash cloud. My Dad turns 70 this month so we planned a surprise 70th birthday party for him. Turned out to be a great night on Saturday with a lot of family and friends coming along. Dad didn't have a clue, when he walked in his face was priceless!! The night went on into the small hours of the morning, not bad for a 70th! Thankfully I had a rest day on Sunday so had a long lie in!!

Managed to catch up with the family and friends, and of course train, over the weekend, so got all the gossip. A lot of my friends are traveling around Australia at the moment, so there is only hand full left at home. One of mates, Eamo was very reluctant to come out on Saturday; he ran into the goal post in Sporting Fingals drawn with Drogheda on Friday night and gave himself a big black eye! Ha-ha.

It's always great going home, only wish it could be longer. The weekend was good though, managed to spend time with my niece and nephew, and chilled out with a walk up the Dublin Mountains on Sunday. Actually bumped into Al Guy, who used to drug test a few years ago. Anytime I meet Al im always dying to ask him about Michelle Smith the swimmer, I'd say he has got some stories!!!

So that was my trip back home, not sure when ill be home again as the season is fast approaching and ill be racing weekly all over the place.....ash cloud permitting!!!