I've managed to completely neglect laraland for a couple of weeks. Apologies to those of you who think I'm better at this than I really am!! (the photos are on the way!)

Meanwhile, Roj and I have finally accepted that the last few months of injury and illness mean that we can't do the Beast of the East. We only have three free weekends between now and then, and it's just not enough to even think about conditioning for a 5-day race. We've decided that we're going to carry on training and enjoy the spring, but aim for something later in the year - most likely the Megadose in Autumn.

I'm really disappointed about it, because I've been aiming for the Beast ever since the E-fix last September. I've also been training all year - with only about 4 weeks off because of illness, but the groin strain I got in early February has really put a spanner in the works in terms of running, and isn't even fully recovered now (I'm going to the doctor this week to try and get some advice, although I'm dreading the "4 weeks complete rest" diagnosis).

On a brighter note - my birthday was great on Tuesday - thanks to those of you who had a hand in it! Roj and I decided to stay in and get take-out Mexican instead of going to our local favourite restaurant, which turned into Roj's undoing since he's been suffering from a severe stomach bug ever since, including a couple of days off work and 4 or 5 days of no eating (welcome to my world!). He's just about starting to recover now, but it'll probably take him another week to get his strength back. He has, however, decided to concede to the interminable pressure I've been putting on him to get himself a road bike ... by getting me one!!! The theory behind this is that while he doesn't feel he can warrant spending so much money on something he's not utterly passionate about, he feels he can justify buying me a new bike so he can inherit my old one. I don't know whether I'm more excited about getting a new bike for myself, or finally getting him on the road!! (off to the Cannondale shop later though!! ...)

Olly's coming over to stay for a 10 days next Friday. I'm very pleased he's coming over - it'll be really good to see him, and especially for Roj and he to spend some time together, which they don't get the chance for very often these days. I'm trying to find some cool things for us to do while he's here which don't involve spending too much money! Ideas on a postcard please!!

Still ill ... and it's Friday!! My stomach feels like it's been to hell and back via the nasty route. Clam chowder is definitely off the menu forever! I've also been reminded of how boring it is to be stuck at home when you're ill. I've been trying to sleep when I can and catching up on some reading, but on the whole just wishing I felt OK again.

I'd forgotten about our plans for tomorrow - we're doing a trailside first aid/CPR certification clinic organised by NYARA. I've been wanting to do that sort of thing for ages (especially since getting into so many silly sports like adventure racing!) so this is the perfect opportunity. Definitely a good-to-have.

On Sunday I think Roj is aiming for a nice long cardio session (cycling, running or both), but having eaten the equivalent of about one small meal in the last three days, I don't hold out too much hope. At this rate the Beast of the East is going to be more than just a bit of a challenge!! ...

Not the best first experience of clam chowder yesterday - spent the whole afternoon and evening feeling unbelievably queasy ... with horrendous kidney pain ... and eventually revisited the meal sometime in the evening. Gah! The only saving grace was being able to watch Inspector Morse on BBC America (one of the 600-odd channels we acquired since going digital at the weekend).

Feel a little better this morning, although I don't quite know why I'm in work ... I should take advantage of the single day in every five years or so that I feel under-the-weather! Couldn't hack a morning trying to sleep and watching dull morning TV though ...

Not much going on otherwise - not that I can publicise on my blog anyway! Managed to get an earlier flight to the UK at the end of April at very little extra cost, so I get to spend a couple of days with my folks, which I'm very pleased about. Also means I won't (necessarily) fall asleep in the middle of the speeches as I did at a wedding this time last year after flying in in the morning! (as Roj is one of the speech-makers, I think it would go down doubly badly if I were to snore into my champagne this time!!) Still got to get my outfit sorted though.

No plans yet for the weekend. Maybe we'll finally get round to watching A Beautiful Mind at the cinema (although there are now about 8 films we want to see!). Otherwise I'll have to get down to some photography. It's been grim weather for a couple of days this week, and I don't seem to have had the time ... so am getting sadly behind .........

Went for my first (proper) Central Park run this morning after injury recovery. Took it easy (only did 45 mins followed by tons of stretching), but everything seems to be cool ... other than the fitness which I have clearly lost in the last month despite spending long hours in the gym. Just shows you that there's no substitute for actually getting out there onto the trails/hills.

I've signed up for another 10 week speed course with the NY Road Runners on Tuesday evenings, starting next week, so I'm quite relieved to find that my legs are operating OK, even if my lost fitness means I have to spend a couple of weeks in the intermediate class ... :(

Also looking into a mtb holiday to use up the last of my days before the end of May. Moab is looking good at the moment ... they do 'organised' tours where you just get 3 people and the guide, and you can pick your standard (the advanced being the ones who tackle 5' drop-offs etc!!) ... it's either that or shivering in a freezing tent in New England for a few days (my idea) ... but in April/May it's never quite certain whether you'd have to take your snowboard or your bike!

Also had a cholesterol test this morning, as part of the general health check I've been persuaded to do since all my medical records are in the UK. Never had one before, so it'll be interested to see how it turns out. The worst thing about it was having to fast for 12 hours beforehand to get an accurate reading. Ok 10 of those hours were post dinner and whilst asleep, but not being able to scoff breakfast after a run is a bit of a killer ... especially when all you can smell is Roj's toasted bagel!!

I started a new book this week which is interesting, but having spoken to Sven, he didn't get through it (usually we like the same sort of book). Am waiting to see how it develops but so far am quite enthralled (really different style). Anyone else read it? If so ... let me know what you thought. It's A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers.

Phew! It wasn't a[nother] broken wrist as I suspected ... just a bad sprain for which I am sporting a removable splint. No worries!! So I was back on the slopes on Wednesday afternoon (being a little cautious, especially in the less-than-zero visibility thanks to my rubbish Bollé goggles - quickly to be replaced with nice Oakley ones - steaming up to the point of opaqueness). By Wednesday afternoon the rain had turned to thick snow, even at basecamp, so Thursday was the most spectacular day ever ... with Roj persuading me onto the 2-foot powder and off the groomed pistes. The snow finally stopped sometime in the night on Thursday, leaving at least a foot of fresh stuff to board on on Friday in the brilliant sunshine - up to three feet at the top of the mountain which had been closed since Tuesday due to high winds. We had the most amazing day - attempting all the crazy black routes from the top ridges, falling a lot onto exploding moguls, and generally making the most of idyllic conditions - boarding pretty much non-stop from 9 til 4. By the end of Friday we knew that Saturday would be a nightmare with most of the powder already gone, and weekend crowds coming in, so we decided to rest our weary legs over beer and pizza on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Beautiful, though slightly uninvitingly grey and cold. Our flights didn't leave until 5.30 on Sunday so we were chuffed to bits to wake to another couple of feet of fresh snow in the morning. Again, visibility was limited in wicked blizzards, but the conditions also meant all the wusses stayed at home, so the slopes weren't too packed despite the top of the mountain being closed off again. Another awesome morning of boarding in gorgeous powder - finding I'd improved massively since Thursday on the same slopes and at last gaining in confidence after Tuesday's fall.

In the space of a week I went from loving to hating to loving snowboarding again, and really hope to get the opportunity to go again while we're in the US. We truly became snow snobs by the end of the week though - once you've boarded on thick heavy powder, there's no going back to groomed pistes!! Tahoe is definitely the place too ... it beat Colorado hands down!

Unfortunately our flights got us into JFK at 6am this morning, so straight to work for me via the $1.50 subway route (rather than the $50+ taxi one), although whether I'll survive the whole day is yet to be seen. Feeling a little groggy already after a maximum of 1 hours sleep on the 'plane.

The worst thing about holidays is undoubtedly coming back and finding that you haven't got anything booked in the next few months ... might have to have a peek at Expedia later on!!

[HAPPY BIRTHDAY SVEN]

California is amazing!! We went to all the amazing famous places - Laguna Beach, Sunset Beach, Venice Beach and up through Santa Monica nearly to Malibu. Soooo beautiful! Of course borrowing the open-top Audi TT on Saturday was a bit of a bonus ... so we could do it all in style!!

I had the most amazing and relaxing weekend ever, and I don't think Rowan and I stopped talking the whole time. Suffice it to say that we sorted the whole world out completely over cups of English tea and fabulous French toast. Thanks Rowan!

Meanwhile it's raining here in Squaw Valley. We've had a couple of nice sunny snowboarding days, but yesterday the wind whipped up and blew all the soft stuff off the ice. Not ideal. Roj is now checking out the slush while I hang around base camp. More on why that is later ... for now I'll just say that I should keep my mouth shut!!