I flew out to Doha 10 days before race day of marathon..
The Marathon team all flew out together, myself and Andy Jones had connecting flights from manchester to Heathrow, where we met up with rest of team Ben, Holly and Helen
It wasn't the best holding camp for distance running as it was far too hot for our type of running. Luckily I was tapering down at this point, just a couple of sessions and easy running
It was good to meet up with my coach Bud and a few of the team who were still in Doha training before going into Delhi,
The hotel was Magnificent and luckily there was a treadmill on site, which was good for easy runs, so I made good use of it.
A typical day would be an easy run on the treadmill at the hotel, breakfast sit around killing time, lunch and then off to the aspire centre for an evening run,
I always prefer to do sessions in the am, therefore I managed a couple of treadmill sessions at the aspire centre in the mornings, unfortunately the treadmill at the hotel was not quick enough for my session.
I did do one run from the hotel with Andy and Ben one morning, the lads had been out a couple of times, but I wanted to just test the heat as I knew it would be hot in Delhi, however we only managed 20mins as it was far too hot.
One good thing being the last athletes to arrive in Doha, we could ask the others what training trails they used etc...On one evening run I did with the lads I did get shouted at by some local ladies (I think it was more to do with me wearing a cropped top) luckily I had my 2 bodyguards with me! Convinced they were after the lads though!
I found that on most days i would have lunch and sleep in the afternoon, I was also mailing my family constantly,
however much i miss my family being away i found Doha was giving me time to relax and sleep more, could not believe how much i slept.
This is one thing that working athletes do not have the benefit of doing.
