Yorkshire Vets Cross Country

After two weeks of no running (what you say? – not injured and no running?) and a week in the artic circle in 2 feet of snow my feet were not going anywhere for a week, and they weren’t even weak, I was about to embark on the Yorkshire XC champs at Wakefield.

A great turn out from the club, despite the wind making the chilly air feel more like the minus 15 that I had endured in Finland. We even had a jumper marshal to gather our tops before and after the race.

I wasn’t aiming to race this one it was just a warm up to get back into running. This was the Yorkshire’s after all, out of my league well nearly. So I got up a nice comfortable pace on go and ran my own 500 metres to get comfortable in my own body. I could see and admire some of the other the speedy club guys ahead. Just.

Cross Country is one hill of a sport but three hills of a sport was pushing it for my first event back but we were all good sports and tackled them all. Well I would be lying as there was just one big hill but we had to go up it three times. Three times I tell you. On the second lap I could feel myself catching fellow club member Clare up a little and just kept a comfortable pace behind her for most of the second lap.

I have learned from the Sheffield Half Marathon last year that running with or near a fellow club member really helps, it brings out the best in people. Clare defiantly pushing me more than I was her keeping me going; and this was me who wasn’t going to race this one. Slow down Clare slow down! Both of us were helped on by the shout outs from the guys spectating before their enduring 5 laps.

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work.

Third lap became harder, my quads were hurting a little by now, suffering from the lack of cardio. I could feel myself at the maximum of my ability but determined to stay with Clare as much as I could, until 500 metres to the end where she made a run for it; pulled away and gained a good 7 places on all other runners. A fantastic technique which must learn from this and save that little bit of energy for the end. However I must say that I don’t think we had anyone over take us for the duration of the race. And I finished..