Arrived back from Switzerland on Monday and I was tired!! Didn't sleep well Sunday night and was up early to get a flight from Geneva. It is always hard to get to sleep after a race.

My next race is on Friday so the few days I had back in Loughborough were all about recovery and of course wash my kit and repack.

Training was light during the week, and I got treatment from my physio Jo and massage therapist Mark

My 4th race of the summer took place on my birthday in the 1992 Olympic Stadium in Barcelona. It is the same stadium that will host the European Championships at the end of July, so it was a great opportunity for me to check it out and actually race in the Stadium.

The race went really well, drawn in lane 5; I had the next quickest guys outside me in lanes 6 and 7. Both athletes were in the World indoors final in Doha back in March, so it was time for a little bit of revenge. Collazo the Cuban took the silver and Brenes finishing 4th...what might have been eh???

I got out well from the blocks and was very relaxed down the back straight, I should of maybe pushed a little at the 200 marked, but all was ok as I came into the home straight about 2 metres down from the Cuban Collazo in lane 6. At that point I just tried to stay as relaxed as possible, and I knew id have. With about 50m to go I went by him to take the win.

Overall, I was happy with my run, time was good and I backed up what I ran in Switzerland the week before. I really felt in control during the race and didn't tie up in the last 50 metres.

For my efforts I won male athlete of the meeting and was brought out on to the podium and then they played happy birthday over the PA system. Nice touch.

To be honest I'm just glad I ran well, would have been a bad birthday if not.

The Irish national champ's were taking place in Santry, Dublin on the Saturday and Sunday, so I had to fly back to Dublin Saturday morning after about 4 hours sleep. My race was at 9pm in Barcelona and by the time you warm down, get back to the hotel, have dinner and get into bed it was about 1am, and add in caffeine I took for my race, I was wired. I had Tom Chamney in the other bed, and he was in the same boat...staring at the ceiling!!

There were a few Irish out competing in Barcelona, Chammers, myself, Derval and Fionnuala Britton. We were all hanging coming back to Dublin, you never sleep well the night after a race, and we were up early for the flight. Not early enough for Fionnuala, she was out for a run at 6.30am...distance runner, mad for it!!! She should have brought Derv with her, may as well got a run out of the trip!! Sorry Derv, I couldn't resist! It happens the best of us and you'll come back stronger!!!!

I was due to compete in the 100m on Sunday. I ran my heat on Sunday, but I wasn't feeling great, my foot was sore from my race in Barcelona on Friday night. After consulting with both the physio and doctor, they decided it wasn't worth the risk. It was nothing serious and with the European's just around the corner it wasn't worth the risk! Overall it was the best decision, my body was a bit tight from racing and travelling, but we had to compete for selection reasons and I ticked that box.

So now on the run up the champs ill go back in training, keep the head down and work hard. I'm happy with the progress I have made with my recent races, so now just relaxed and let it happen!

Onwards and upwards!!