Lasswade AC Open Cross Country @ Gorebridge 4/11/07
Lyn Wilson dominated the ladies race from the off beating all but one of the u17 lads as well.Another mild day for a cross country race. For how long will this continue? Gerry reports. There was a good turn out of Porty runners for the annual Lasswade Cross Country race at Gorebridge. Three for the ladies race (Mary, Amanda and Lucy (not running for PRC)) and four for the men's event (Peter, Scott (Ferguson), Graham Henry and me). I also spoke to one of our former members, the second elite French chap whos name escapes me, (Ishmail) who dropped out during the mens' race - he wasn't wearing a Porty vest!
The course was an excellent test for a cross country, a bit of almost everything and for men three laps and for women 2 shorter laps and one long lap. The conditions were excellent overhead, cool and no breeze and even underfoot were pretty fine - I guess had there been rain leading up to the event the course could have been a real mudbath... but it wasn't.
After giving the ladies a cheer on their way round it was the men's turn. With fewer numbers than the previous x-country I took part in at Broxburn, the start was less frantic and a bit easier to make headway. It was a flat start then down a short hill and onto a narrow track (if you kept to it). Peter had made his usual fast start so I left him to it and found myself with a few guys around me going at a better pace for me. One of these was Gary Robertson from CoE, whom I have had many a good race against, and the results are mainly in his favour. We swapped positions among ourselves. A reasonable incline completed a first loop before we headed down a steeper decent over uneven ground to head onto a second loop.
The pack I was in started to spread out, which I prefer, to give me more space to get my legs going and also (for x-country) to see what sort of ground lies ahead. The course now ran along a flat, though stony, path before making a turn and onto a more testing boggy treaded path. This was quite tricky and a good test of the strength of your legs - I often wonder how we all seem to manage to run along such paths without injuring oursleves - I guess concentration is the key.
As we'd decended quite a bit I knew we had to make amends for this and I wasn't to be disappointed (or rather I was). An initial short steep incline, through (or around) some mucky water, across a path and then onto a longer uphill stretch, phew! I didn't lose places here though as I'll mention later it's strange how runners' near me strengths and weaknesses became apparent over the course. At the top of the hill we re-entered the open field we'd started from and 300 yards later we were back to the starting point for the second lap. What a great cheer I got as I surfaced at the top of the hill, thanks Porty girls and those from other clubs who shouted me on. I'm afraid I am not the best at responding to calls, never mind after such an ascent so sorry not to show appreciation.
Onto the second lap and I had passed Gary and was running just behind another CoE guy. I thought to stick to him and see what this would bring. I could also see Peter some 100 yards in front so this too helped to motivate me. I felt quite strong at this stage. I was keeping just behind the CoE chap and passed him on a flat grass section. He did get back to me as we went uphill only for me to regain advantage as we went downhill. Wow. Onto the stony path and who should go by me but the same guy. On the steep uphill stretch he gained a few yards. Again a great reception from the lasses, I think they were chanting my name and I heard some laughter too but couldn't join in! They also encouraged me shouting that Peter was in sight.
As I went by the starting line for the third lap the commentator mentioned my name over the loudspeaker letting others in front of me know I wasn't far away. The CoE chap had 10 yards on me and Gary was only a short distance behind. Onto the steep slope half way through the lap and I caught the CoE chap but once again it was to be short lived as he caught me on the stony path - 'groundhog day' during a race! Onto the boggy track and I was getting back to him and was also aware of Gary near to me. It must have been half a mile to go and such tension - I was too busy to worry about that. Onto the hill section and the CoE chap got away and I think I managed to gain a few metres on Gary. Into the final flat 300 metres stretch, I could see Peter about 75 m in front and the CoE chap about 10m in front. I tried in vain to catch up but to no avail.
I was really pleased with my showing, I feel as if I'm adapting to the country after the road season. A good cross country course within easy reach of Edinburgh, which I appreciate. Great Peter - a really good preformance. Well done to Scott on his first x-country race. He did well and sure he'll learn from this. And finally well done to Graham who arrived in good time after cycling to the event - a short run before La Rochelle marathon later this month.
Well done to the ladies, Lucy got a prize (1st vet) and things are looking good for Porty as a cross country club.
Report Gerry Scullion
Having been told by a number of people how much fun this cross country running could be I decided to give it a go…
Arriving with Mary, Peter and Amanda two hours before my race gave me plenty of time to register and wonder round and eye up the competition. I must admit that this is the first race I have been to where I was intimidated by the kids racing. Even the 11 year olds look like they have 50 mile a week schedules.
Cross country does give you the opportunity to get to see different people race as the field is split into the different age groups and sexes. Run over a few laps you also get to see people deteriorate from looking fresh and able, to huffing and puffing wrecks (including myself). The down side is that for some reason women run a shorter distance than the men. I suppose it is only fair on the weaker sex…NOT!! Like Lucy (I can run 95 miles in a day!!) Colquhoun and Amanda (taking it easy 3:12 marathon runner) Henderson or Mary (I’m doing the Everest marathon for fun) Hunter actually need that little extra help to get their weak frail self’s over the finish line.
The race was a roughly circular course with a mix of grass, single track with and without mud and a short nasty climb. If it wasn’t for the fact that we had to do it three times it would have been a great wee run. After watching the women run their race and see the grim expressions as they battled up the steep hill I now had the daunting task of heading to the start line myself.
Right from the start you get the feeling that most of these guy’s are not for hanging around, none of this get into your pace routine, they start fast and just get faster. There was a brief bottle-neck 100 m from the start (could actually have just been me tripping over myself) but other than that I was quite surprised at how fast people disappeared into the distance. Even more surprising was the fact that I had not been overtaken or even lapped. First lap came and went in a flash, just eyes to the ground and concentrate. Second lap…kind of like a mouthful of rank cake in company, you have bitten and know you have to swallow. It was just painful knowing that there was one more. Yes…last lap somehow it was uplifting to know that every step you took was never to be repeated; even the steep killer hill was the last hill. Lungs burning, legs getting heavy just down the hill round the corner and …finish.
It’s tough, fast and pressured; looking at your every step to make sure you don’t fall or slip. However, after your breathing has calmed down looking back its quite fun, sore but fun.
Report Scott Ferguson
Is it just me or does Scott bear a striking resemblance to Thomas the Tank Engine?It was a great course, very well laid out, well marshalled and great organisation. So many events going on one after the other, and on time. Lots of young enthusiastic runners. Signposted from Sheriffhall and spot prizes as well - Mary says thanks for the Ikea Voucher! Results up nice and quick. Thanks to Lasswade AC and Alex Jackson as ever. pb
Senior Men 6th out of 11 teams (PB, GS, SF)
Vet Men 5th out of 8 teams (PB, GS, GH)Website here
Results here (pdf)
Photos Peter and Mary
