If you haven't yet read the race report detailing my first win in an England Vest ... you can see it here.
Training has been going well ... took a week off after Perth but last week I ran 30 miles. I know it's not much but as soon as I choose my next race I can begin training properly. Next week will be 40 miles and include some weight training.
The World Championships in Brugg, Switzerland (June 2011) is a distinct possibility - if I'm selected. After that there's the strong possibility of a Commonwealth Championships at the end of September. I'd also like to do a third long race, probably before Brugg. Which one though ... any ideas ?
On Tuesday, last week, I was contacted by a reporter from Associated Press who was doing a story about beetroot juice ... yes you did read that correctly ... beetroot juice (stop laughing !!!). On Wednesday she phoned me and we had a 10 - 15 minute chat about how the purple stuff had helped my performance in Perth. About an hour or so later a different reporter phoned and we had a similar conversation before he mentioned that he's doing a piece for TV and was wondering if he could send a crew to film me.
Than, a couple of hours later still, a photographer phoned from Associated Press Images to arrange a time when he could come and take some photos of me and the dreaded liquor.
On Friday morning the photographer chap came over from Liverpool and spent about 45 to 50 minutes taking hundreds of photos. Indoors, outdoors, drinking the stuff, not drinking the stuff, sitting this way, standing that way ...
Before he left he told me that a small selection of the photos would appear on the Associated Press Images website. I haven't found them yet but maybe I'm looking in the wrong place. If you want to try and find them I'm wearing the GB kit I was given for the World Championships earlier this year.
(photo by Jim Rogers)
The latest news about this beetroot juice saga is that the TV people are taking longer than anticipated to get everything they need so the original reporter has decided to hold back for a week or two so that it can all be released together. Further details when I get it.
The day after the Perth Ultra Fest, before I caught the train back to Yorkshire, I went to The Bean Shop. I came across this little piece of heaven on the afternoon before the race and I was determined to buy something whilst in the town. The staff were amazingly friendly and knowledgeable ... and tolerant of my with a very large bag and bruised feet, sore legs, etc. I came away with 250g of a Cuban coffee named Turquino.
That really is a grade rather than a district or area of the country. Many experts reckon though that the best Cuban coffees are graded Turquino or Extra Turquino - so I knew I was in for a treat. Especially when the assistant explained that it had been roasted on the premises. The coffee, of which I had the last cup only a few days ago, was full bodied with a slight smoky flavour and mild acidity.
Although I'd never tasted Cuban coffee, I found the spiciness and long aftertaste very enjoyable and put me in mind of Cuban bars and cafes with the mixed aroma of coffee and cigars.
I'd definitely like some more of their wonderful coffee. Especially as there isn't anywhere similar within 30 miles of where I live. Or do you know different ?
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