The week started off on a poor footing as i couldn't shake the throat infection and head cold i picked up last week. This combined with pretty awful weather meant that i missed more days training than i'd like to admit to! But anyway, it ruled out Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from running on health grounds alone.  On monday i went to the doctor as i thought the infection was spreading to my eyes - which were starting to look a touch on the demonic side. The doctor half-heartedly prescribed me antibiotics which i got but didn't bother taking, i really hate taking them. As it turns out it was a good call as by Wednesday evening i was feeling much better. i had to drive to Ballybunion to meet a client on a rebrand project as well as kick off a website project at UL in Limerick so between the 8'o clock start and the millions of miles of driving, Thursday was a wash out. Friday, i was working from the office so i managed a quick 5.5 miles or so at lunchtime and as ever when I come back from a little break, it felt great t be back running. Saturday was my birthday, 39, so i was granted free time to do a quick 80' run on the flat  -covering around 10 and half miles at 7:46 pace.  I headed out towards o'loughlin and then came back on the unopened (M9) motorway - it is such a joy to run on pure flat asphalt with no traffic and just wide open spaces on either side - its like having your own private track to run on - by all accounts it will be another 3 - 6 months before it the road opens - so i plan to use it while i can. Today, i finished the week with a hangover clearing 90' run over hills at 8:05 pace, this is probably my favourite 11 mile route - and it takes me up towards o'loughlin and then onto the ridge - there is a hill or two at around the 3 mile mark but from mile 6 to mile 8 is straight uphill - its some drag but it leaves you on top of the ridge overlooking the valley to Mount Leinster, on a clear day its stunning, from there you drop down to the village again over 3 and a bit miles. Today felt really good, as soon as the hangover started to lift (from about mile 2 onwards). i am looking forward to getting a good weeks training in and starting to build a decent base. Connemarathon is 12 weeks away today with the kildare half marathon 4 weeks later. I've been back running with my ipod again - and really enjoying music. Today i listened to the sound of the smiths - and this really stood out. It really rocks out from about 3:00 onwards. Summary of the week Monday - sick Tuesday - sick Wednesday - sick Thursday - sick Friday - 45' easy (5.5 miles) Saturday - 82' easy (10.6 miles) Sunday - 93' hills (11.5 miles) Total for the week *cringe* 27.6 miles in 3 sessions..

So this was meant to be it. Take a month off after a marathon (check), identify 2010 goals (check), get someone to give me a structured training plan (check)....let's go, or not! As I was due in for a VO2max test on Friday and had done little running in the previous couple of weeks the plan was easy running all week. Monday 45' easy Tuesday 60' easy Wednesday 60' easy It started to snow as I finished up my Wednesday run at lunchtime, and within 2 hours the roads and countryside were completely blanketed in white, and road and driving conditions deteriorated pretty much instantly. On Thursday, I woke up with a tickle at the back of my throat, while temperatures outside were hitting near record -12C, so I postponed my test till next week and J gave me a revised workout of 5 * 5' at 10k pace with 90s recovery or 75min over hills depending on conditions underfoot. However, by the time I woke up on Friday I had developed a pretty heavy head cold and bang went my first full week of training. The double pisser is that I'm sitting inside now whilst I could be outside sledging with the kids....not happy. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow and can get out to stretch my legs and enjoy the weather.