My form at this moment seems to alright. The trouble with big mileage with the addition of a busy lifestyle, I seem to pick up bugs which knock me for six. My dad is on the mend from a stroke. He has the odd bad day, so I have to help out. This has had an effect on recent races. The Inter-counties in Feb I was run down, my dad wasn't too good. The National XC also in February at Sunderland was another day I should have stayed in bed cause I had a bad headache.

The club training weekend up at Chapel Stile near Ambleside in the Lake District in mid March was to prove I was getting back into it. I'm still not 100% since the National XC, but I was to put in some pleasing training runs on the roads, fells and a 30mile ride on my bike in the wind and rain to Coniston, then around the Lake in 42 mins, and then back. I was soaked and blown all over the place that afternoon. On the fells for 90 mins in the morning was very windy and a bit dodgy in places. My Innovate Mudclaws 370 gave me alot of confidence up there. The social side was also enjoyable. Our communial meal on Saturday was nice. I probably ate more cakes, deserts than anyone else.

My next race was to be the Ackworth Half Marathon on the 25th March. I was going to do Wakefield 10k for London Marathon prep. But I got persuaded to do Ackworth through there organiser Cyril Jones. Plus Jamil and Julian was also pre-entries. It made more sense for team purposes.

I remember feeling quite keen to race it on the day. I was still suffering with a cough. I was keen to get going and test my race fitness.
Ackworth is a undulating coarse with some good climbing included. On the more open area's, we had to put up with the strong winds.
For competition were Leeds City's Darren Bilton and Adam Osborne. Darran has always been consistant. Adam is also turning into a good runner for Leeds.
Soon as we went, I took the lead. On my left I could see Darren for the first fifty metres. Then I it was just me trying to break away from the field in my true fashion very early on. Around 4-5 miles, I could hear the lead car's commentry saying I was in front, with the two Leeds lads 40 yards behind. The forth runner was quarter of a mile behind.
This, according to second placer Adam Osborne was to be the closest they they get to me. I was also thinking I've messed up with the quick start. I was beginning to think they were catching us up as the raced progressed.
It was to be my sole thought all the way to the finish. It was only on the last two miles that I thought the race was mine. I wanted to win the race and the Yorkshire title again and make it eight titles.
I finished the race strong. Adam was next 40 or so seconds behind, with Darren getting third.
Jamil's foot injury was bothering him during the race, but he stuck it out for the team and came in eigth. Julian was 12th. Otley won the mens team and also the mens Yorkshire team.
Zac Whitehead ran Wakefield 10k that day. He was hoping to crack 35 mins, but finished in around 37 minutes. He is dissappointed by his race form. He felt he could have done better. He will eventually with some guidance from myself.
Steady training this past week. Yesterday (Saturday), I ran to Silsden and back to Shipley along the canal. I felt alright on that one. Nice day to run.