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The season’s over and I’m all ready to pack because next week I’m flying to Miami for a three-week break. Although I’m now supposed to be 'resting' you can imagine my surprise when Ayo, my coach, asked me last week if I fancied running again?

But it was not on the track or even on the road, it was at the Tate Britain as part of an art exhibition by Martin Creed to help launch the cultural Olympiad in the countdown to the 2012 Games. They were a whole host of athletes at the exhibition including Marlon Devonish, Jonathan Edwards and Kelly Holmes and we were asked to run a distance of 86m. Thankfully, it wasn’t too demanding. We only had to run the distance four or five times but it was great to be involved in such an event.

Since my last blog I have also raced in the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart and enjoyed a rare trip over 1500m in Shanghai and I was more than satisfied with both performances.

In Stuttgart I was really happy, I had been feeling a little bit ill and I was a little run down, but I enjoyed a good day’s rest and despite that I finished third in the race behind Pamela Jelimo and it was good to end my 800m season on a high.

Back in China, again, I decided to have a run out over 1500m out in Shanghai. I’m more of a 400m/800m runner but my coach and I realise that all the great 800m runners have brilliant PB’s over not only the 400m but the 1500m as well.

Running the distance was a little daunting but I knew I was really strong and to knock nine seconds from my PB with 4:11.85 was very encouraging.

Since then, apart from my appearance at the Tate Britain, I’ve put away my running shoes and enjoyed a little down time.

I’ve caught up with family and friends and on Sept 23 I celebrated my 24th birthday. I had a party around the flat with the likes of my flat-mate Montell Douglas, Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu, Donna Fraser and a few of my other close pals.

My friends all know me really well because I got bought my three favourites things – anything green, anything to do with Marilyn Monroe and Tiffany jewellery.
 
I was bought quite a few green coloured items, a Marilyn Monroe book and a nice Tiffany necklace. I was even bought a Marilyn Monroe cake!

This weekend is going to be very exciting because Ayo [Falola] is getting married and I’ve been asked to sing a song at the ceremony. I love to sing and it is the first time I have had the opportunity to do so for ages. I cannot reveal the song – because I’ve been sworn to secrecy by the bride – but I’ve been practising with my new singing teacher and I promise I will explain more in my next blog.

After the wedding, it's on to Miami, where I’ll be travelling with Montell Douglas, Tara Byrd and Vicky Barr. I can’t wait to relax and, strangely enough, it’s going to be a real athletics hot-spot as I think Jeanette Kwakye and Kelly Sotherton are going to be holiday in Miami as well.

Until the next time

Marilyn