National Cross Country Championships 20/02/10 (senior women race report)
Cross country races are, in my books, synonymous with mud, cold and elbows. The National Cross Country Championships this Saturday didn’t disappoint.
Tree (with elbow)I’ve been avoiding the old racing malarkey for the last couple of years, mainly for reasons of ill health but more recently, if I’m honesty it was probably psychological. Having fallen so far back and had to pick myself up so many times, I really didn’t relish the thought of a humiliating thrashing in a very public arena. Far better to jog sedately round my country park, reminisce about faster times and grumble with the best of them about the terrible weather.
The only way to return to form though is to go through those physical and mental barriers. And so, the registration form for the Nationals arrived on my doormat. Sign up for the mens’ race was brisk to say the least, whilst we ladies needed a little extra persuasion. I must admit I was probably persuaded by Lynsey Lawrie, a relative newcomer to the club. Her enthusiasm to get out there and try it, rubbed off a bit on me and suddenly I was signed up.
Thankfully race day was clear, crisp and dry - promising a less extreme cross country experience than usual. I met up with the team at Falkirk for warm up and strategising. The general consensus of opinion was go out easy, leaving yourself enough to really work the second lap. The calibre and number of senior women was very impressive - the importance of this race as the ‘Nationals’ had somehow passed me by. I am more accustomed to the smaller East District races. In any case there was little time to worry about it. We were off and charging up the first hill. Once the elbows had thinned out a bit I found myself running in line behind a variety of club runners. I nervously picked off a few of them, worried that I might see each and everyone of them again later in the race. I was surprised to pass Lynne just before the second hill as she had set off so strongly and confidently. Oh well, I had played my hand and was now going to have to deliver.
I survived the hills relatively better than those around me - using the chance to overtake and give myself more space. What a relief I haven’t lost that skill. The support from the PRC mens’ team was great - I don’t think I ran more than 500m without a cheer. Suddenly the second lap was upon me and the old legs weren’t feeling quite so spritely on the hills. Nevertheless I dug in, focussing on a group of runners ahead.
One girl had developed a rather odd x-country technique - run like a bat out of hell, go backwards on the hill, stop at the top for a breather, then belt it again. For me, this was really distracting as she was constantly sprinting up from behind to get in front. By the last kilometre, I had her sussed and suspected I might just have enough to hold her off after the final hill.
Tony of the Hills was strategically placed on the last sharp incline and with his shouts ringing in my ears I charged up it overtaking three women. OK, they promptly pulled me back but hey, it was a confidence booster. All too soon, we descended the only really muddy section onto the finishing straight. What a fast section this was - a gentle downhill for maybe 250m with mud and grit flying everywhere. I hit the finishing line just pipping the aforementioned girl to the post. I might have been six minutes behind the winning lady but I sure felt like a winner in my own way!
Lynn was hot on my heels, closely followed by Mary and Lynsey who had both dug deep on their second laps. We placed 12th out of 20 teams - a tremendous effort! Here’s hoping we have a more regular team of ladies for next season.
Report Amanda Henderson
Photos PB, (Gerry Scullion team photo)
Roadrunpics here
Results here
Mary's blogYoutube video of Senior Women start of 2nd lap here
Youtube video of Senior Women finish here
Another astonishing performance from Freya 1.44 ahead of second place!
Good to see PRC fielding full teams. (Mens race report to follow)
