Scottish National Cross Country Championships 2009
Falkirk, Callendar Park 21/02/09
Due to an unfeasibly busy working week (Monday to Friday inclusive, whatever next) I only managed to run once between weekends, on Wednesday – race night - at club, then nothing till today at the National xc champs Falkirk. Paul Edwards reminded me how to work a career through the credit crunch by putting in a days work before getting picked up by off-road Tony along with Willie J and myself to head off for an afternoon at the cross country.
This was my fourth time here at Callendar Park and its a great setting. The weather was just this side of dry although we could have done without the prevailing breeze which has prevailed every year we've run here. Having no ladies team we turned up in time to register and warm up and only caught the smallest glimpse of the women, with Freya already miles ahead. Julia seemed to be about the top twenty mark leading the Helensburgers.
The Helensburgh Girls were 9th team out of 22. Well done.I had forgotten the strength of the runners involved and felt I got a poor start seeing well over a hundred runners streaking ahead round the course. It was a bad omen and I didn't feel fresh. It had been a tiring week and I felt I didn't have the oomph needed for 3 long laps. However I kept in place and taking note of the runners around me, realised I was pretty far up the field. I saw Chris Upson and a few HBTers ahead and began to pick up as we climbed the reinstated additional hill after the pond-side.
The ground was much drier than the previous 3 years, a pleasant surprise after the very muddy cross countries of late. Down the hill and out the golf course where I tried to duck in behind the broad shoulders of Adrian Davis as a wind shield, however he was too quick and that was the last I saw of him. Down and up that ditch should not have been so difficult, but every time I thudded down to its swampy leaf litter and mud bowl, I struggled to climb out the far side without dropping 4 places. Took a different line each time, none of which worked. Round and up the sharp hill facing the big house. Happily free of the usual mud. About here the evergreen Paul Thomson (Helensburgh) floated by. And said hello to add insult to injury. However instead of running ahead he stuck around and spent quite a while in my vicinity, perhaps waiting for me to respond conversationally. Then an unpleasant section with tower blocks on the left which seemed to channel the wind across us then into our faces. The Antonine wall lurks around this part as we swung to the right and ran with the wind to the back of us parallel to the main road before another sharp wee hill (also thankfully less muddy than usual – in the past I have been on all fours here) then round past the start / finish for a second lap.
I was so busy trying to cut the corner (but not the marker tape you understand) to take the fastest line, I forgot to time the first lap and was up the top end before realising. In previous years I have gone out fast then slowly fallen to bits while trying not to drop too many places. Today I was looking to overtake the next guy ahead throughout, rather than thinking too much about the folk behind. I did wonder about Gerry though, and as one runner pulled up alongside I wrongly thought it was him. Up ahead as we climbed the hill after the pond on the second lap and I drew alongside Chris Upson. It was all pretty horrible by now – the first lap and you're full of adrenaline, the third and you're nearly done. The second is just gutting it out and trying not to throw in the towel. I saw a couple of folk do just that – walk off the course and jog away. I wondered how bad it would have to get before that seemed like the only option.
Ahead of Chris and Paul - no wonder I am making a monkey face...
I was now running with Paul and Chris and felt it was pretty good company. Somewhere along the way I also caught up with Graeme Ackland with whom I have raced Tuesday nights at the meadows interval sessions. Into the third lap and more of the same. I was wondering if I could hold it together or at what point I would burst into flames. There seemed a long way to go but I just focussed on taking the most efficient line and tried to reel in a few more. There seemed like an unlimited crowd ahead and I could see runners – its not even the front of the field – way across the park nearly finished. Best not to look. Julia shouted out some encouragements to myself then a nano second later to Paul. Ahh, so he's just there. I tried to increase the pace because I am familiar with the sprint finish (and coming second) and I knew I was already going top speed and its just not going to happen today. Maybe if I can put a bit of distance down now.... but its no use. After what seems like miles of lung-busting yet flat grass we drop down the muddy bank and start the home straight – about a hundred metres of cinder path. There's a rush of air as Paul sweeps past convincingly, troubling, but not overtaking the next guy ahead. I didn't stand a chance. Having finished before him in a couple of hill runs last year his revenge was overdue. He even apologised – what a gentleman!
I was glad to be finished. Gerry appeared seconds later, then as I got the camera out Mr Jarvie. Another one for spoiling the last few hundred yards for folk. Later, checking results I found I was about 2½ to 3 minutes faster than usual. 44.37
In the car on the way home there was general discussion about how the experience, while not necessarily enchanting at the time, makes the food and drink taken subsequently taste so much better, the couch more comfy, the sleep more restful; life, better.
Report pb
Photos Andrew Henderson and Peter
Results
Roadrunpics - coming soonFollowing day I ran 24 miles – longest (and slowest) run this year - like a zombie up and down the Water of Leith which was just the other side of enjoyable. Nothing by comparison to what Mary was up to at Draycote Water knocking out 35 miles under 5hrs30 then spending longer driving home with Richard. He had opted for the marathon distance this year, managing 3.14 (pi?). While highly respectable there was a feeling that if the wind had been kinder he may have ducked under 3.10. Report to follow.
