Michelle Ross-Cope

Have had a real busy weekend,

Friday night out with the NSRRA handing out awards to fellow runners which was really nice,

Then Saturday in Hanley to promote the potters arf marathon, never thought i'd be running in Hanley town centre with a Squirrel! his name was Granville by the way.

and today Sunday,
first race out this year, and so glad all the snow had finally cleared.
Great to get out there and put a race number on. Really enjoyed it but a little dissappointed with the time but what can I expect after training in snow for 2 weeks.

I'd like to say thanks for all the support over the last 12 months.

It's been a year full of new challenges and experiences, there's been lots of ups and downs.

A great start to the year and running really well, all great preperation for my first marathon. Then the sudden death of my Father just before the marathon shook me up and had a big affect on me. But since then I've done my 2nd marathon and training is going well again ready for the next one.

Next year is a new year and I'm looking forward to it.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Wonderful New Year,

Back in training, things have gone better than after London, less injuries which is a big relief.

New training programme looks harder than ever but glad to be back running, even if it is on some very cold days.

Did a short race recently, the Santa's Fun Run at the Britannia stadium for the Donna Louise trust, great fun but got out sprinted by my 6 year old daughter, she's sneaky.

Just back from a Hard run in New York, pretty tough course and a strong wind against us all the way.

Really dissapointed with the time but considering the conditions, plus some major cramping in my legs at 18 miles which is something I just have to overcome and come back stronger from.

Well done to everyone who competed, especially on such a tough day.

I'd like to say thank you to the organisers in New York everything was put together and organised wonderfully and everyone was really helpful. Definitely a race I'd do again.

Bristol run went ok but not as well as I would have liked. After all the injuries I suppose it was a good run.

Picked for the GB team to run in Birmingham for the World Half Marathon Champs on the 11th of October and looking forward to it.

Training is going well and is still aimed at my next marathon in New York on the 1st of November....

Did the Birchwood 10k on the 23rd of August, faster than Berlin, so everything going back in the right direction. Quite pleased with having just completed 3 weeks of high mileage training.

Hope it all pays off for Bristol in two weeks time.

Had a hard couple of months with both injury and illness, training has been difficult and really frustrating.

Did my first race since London in Berlin, a 10k International,
the conditions didn't help and a lack of race fitness showed in the result.

My next target is Bristol for the World Half Qualifiers, and preperations for doing the New York Marathon later this year.

Trainings at a standstill at the moment while I try to recover from an injury. Did my first long runs since the Marathon, all seemed fine then I suddenly developed a problem with my knee that stops me running at speed.

Had to miss 2 races so far, the London 10k and the New York 10k. Absolutely gutted about it, but hopefully soon everything will be back on track.

Had a good night this week at The Sentinel Sports Awards, picked up a trophy and a very large framed certificate for 2008's achievements, hopefully 2009 will be as good if not better.

Overjoyed to have completed my first Marathon, and delighted at my time, slightly slower than I was hoping for,but as it was my first one I can't complain at all.

I hadn't had the best run up to it, I did get chance for some warm weather training but 5 days after getting back my dad passed away suddenly, and it threw everything up in the air.

I was in two minds about doing London at all, but after talking to his friends and my family I decided it's what he would have wanted, he was desperate for me to do it, so I did it for him with his wedding ring pinned to my top for the race.