After the national Championships I decided to stay on at home for a few days before flying back to Loughborough. I wanted to catch up with a few mates and spend time with the family. I haven't been home since May and I wont be home again until my break in September.

Due to the niggle I had in my foot, the Athletics Ireland doctor sent me for an MRI scan on Monday. We both knew it wasn't anything serious, but while I was at home we may as well check it out and take no risks. Everything turned out ok and the scan showed up nothing.

The reason for the niggle is thought to be due to tight calf's, so just need to stay on top of them and ill be laughing.

Have no race planned for this weekend, mainly due to this Diamond League again. Same people, with big agents getting into the races! It's annoying when I have run quicker then some of the athletes. Politics I suppose.

I would have been more annoyed if my recent races didn't go well and I felt I needed another race before the Europeans.

Flew back to Loughborough on Tuesday night, back to my training base to put in my final preparations before the Euros. I decided not to travel out with the Irish team to the pre euros training camp in Murcia, Spain. I just feel more relaxed and comfortable in my own bed. I don't need to get into race mode too early. Sometimes when away on camp surrounded by athletes, with not much to do you can just start thinking about your competition. Each to their own really, will suit some and not others. I have everything I need here in Loughborough, so it just boils down to where Im happy. I will fly straight into Barcelona a few days before I compete.

On Wednesdays I was back in to solid training in the gym, and because I was not racing this weekend Pete made me work a little harder. I woke up on Thursday morning, and my muscles were sore, its what the guru's call "doms" (delayed onset of muscle soreness)

My training over the remaining few days of the week wasn't too taxing. Just sharpening work on Thursday, fast 120m's, and weights again on Friday and 50-second grass runs on Saturday.

As I had a rest day on Sunday, I wanted to do something, so Charlotte and I hopped in the car and went to Skegness. The original British seaside resort. Charlotte said "why on earth do you want to go there, if full of chav's". But im a foreigner over here and didn't really care, sure we'll have a laugh anyway.

Got there on Saturday afternoon and my god some of the sights. Some of the people were straight off Jeremy Kyle or even Jerry Springer!!

Eventually we got a B&B, and in the morning we sat down to breakfast. The mban on ti was disgusted that I didn't want a full English, all I wanted was scrambled eggs on brown toast. She was even more amazed when Charlotte hoovered up her full English!

Spent the rest of the morning chilling on the beach, taking in the sights!!

We had a laugh and was nice to get out of the house for a night, not for a race!