It's Here Again.......The Girl's With The Pain In Their Legs.....!

Well, well, well......yesterday brought to us the time of the year that seems to return everso quickly......the dreaded cross country! As ever the first of the season was our home event held at the slightly hilly Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay. I can't remember being so nervous....that is...not since my first call up to run for north Wales at Eastleigh in 2006!..The biggest consolation had to be though the weather. It was glorious..that is the 2Nd year in succession that we have been blessed with good weather, there were clear skies and the ground underfoot was just perfect for the event. And what a turn out. Over 140 women lined up for the ladies event and nearly 200 for the men's. I heard Margaret Morris comment that it was the most that they had ever had for the first round of the north Wales championships and I am sure that she wasn't wrong. One thing that I do love about running, is the friends that you make and despite the fact that Marilyn Kitching, Isabel Redfern, Nellie Sanders and many others were all there vying for the win, we never let it spoil the good time that we all no doubt have. Saturday was no different, and if I was nervous I would most definitely not have been the only one, Isy and Nellie both admitted being nervous, I know Nellie was, because she told me behind the tree at the start where we were both crouched, knickers around our ankles having a last minute nervous pee! It's funny isn't it...if you were walking around the streets, late at night and needed the loo, you would be looking over your shoulder or finding the darkest alley to go......on a cross country, you just drop your keks within metres of 600 people! Maybe it gives us a false sense of confidence, or maybe the truth is that we are all common tarts and just don't give a damn when we're out with our mates! The race itself was cool, I had a nice 'steady' run and as predicted Claire Martin ran away with the race. Isy came in second closely followed by Marilyn and both Nellie and I came in the top ten. Most importantly, with regard to the overall team position, we secured a 1st overall and providing we can maintain a good team for the rest of the season, there is no reason why we shouldn't challenge for the title at the end of the winter................I was initially a little disappointed with my result, but this was short lived when I realised I had run a very similar race to that of Andy Walling my coach, who coincidentally came home with the same tag number in the men's race! Anyway, we all rewarded ourselves afterwards with a well deserved trip to our favourite cafe and copious chips and omelette's.

If that wasn't bad enough, Andy then suggested a Sunday run and when Neale and I arrived he detailed a four summit 2000 metre ascent to build up some stamina! Was he for real? Anyway, serves his right, even on the initial ascent of Moel Wynion, he was blowing out of his ar.e! Serves him right for making a stupid suggestion like that! Anyway, we had a great morning's run, and I am beginning to realise that my fitness is without question as good as ever, all I have to do now is concentrate on my race technique together with some speed work...no doubt that the venerable Mr Walling will come up with some ideas!!!!!