A last minute decision to compete at the Welsh Cross Country Champs' at Singleton Park in Swansea, meant that my usual pre-race nerves were not as bad as is the norm' prior to a major event. Although, Neale had submitted an entry a month or so previously, I was seriously considering my first mountain race at Moel y Ci in Tregarth which was also being run on the same day. A third option was the Wrexham half marathon on the Sunday, but this ended up being cancelled on the morning due to adverse weather condtions! We travelled down on the night before the event, a journey in itself which proved interesting. Three accidents on the way down the final of which was serious and saw us co-ordinating the rescue effort and delayed for nearly two hours! Thankfully, all injured parties are now all recovering well in hospital three of whom had to be cut out of their vehicles! A bad omen or what? Anyway, we pressed on and after a relaxing night in Newport we travelled to Swansea. On arrival, the various age category events were underway and I spent the time relaxed and pretty focussed. The fact that i literally knew nobody at the event was a bonus so I did not know who to focus on. I was pleased to see Rob Samuel (Eryri Harriers) fresh from his succeses at the Barcelona hlaf marathon the previous weekend and we enjoyed a jovial mood before our respective races. My race was a near 7 km affair and followed a hilly route somewhat different to that on which I competed in the Welsh masters in 2007. My usual slow start saw me settle into 21st position, but I felt very good and soon saw 15th. With encouragement from Neale and one or two others I managed to make my way through the field and battling for 9th place but was pipped at the post and settled for 11th. A result that I was overjoyed with considering the quality of the field. The majority of the field ahead of me were barely half my age save for the winner and Olympic triathlete Andrea Whitcombe who dominated from start to finish and ran home 200 metres clear of the pursuing pack. Me I was pleased, very pleased in fact. To finsish at this level in a senior women's race as opposed to a veteran race is encouraging and helps my head no end!!!!!
A last minute decision to compete at the Welsh Cross Country Champs' at Singleton Park in Swansea, meant that my usual pre-race nerves were not as bad as is the norm' prior to a major event. Although, Neale had submitted an entry a month or so previously, I was seriously considering my first mountain race at Moel y Ci in Tregarth which was also being run on the same day. A third option was the Wrexham half marathon on the Sunday, but this ended up being cancelled on the morning due to adverse weather condtions! We travelled down on the night before the event, a journey in itself which proved interesting. Three accidents on the way down the final of which was serious and saw us co-ordinating the rescue effort and delayed for nearly two hours! Thankfully, all injured parties are now all recovering well in hospital three of whom had to be cut out of their vehicles! A bad omen or what? Anyway, we pressed on and after a relaxing night in Newport we travelled to Swansea. On arrival, the various age category events were underway and I spent the time relaxed and pretty focussed. The fact that i literally knew nobody at the event was a bonus so I did not know who to focus on. I was pleased to see Rob Samuel (Eryri Harriers) fresh from his succeses at the Barcelona hlaf marathon the previous weekend and we enjoyed a jovial mood before our respective races. My race was a near 7 km affair and followed a hilly route somewhat different to that on which I competed in the Welsh masters in 2007. My usual slow start saw me settle into 21st position, but I felt very good and soon saw 15th. With encouragement from Neale and one or two others I managed to make my way through the field and battling for 9th place but was pipped at the post and settled for 11th. A result that I was overjoyed with considering the quality of the field. The majority of the field ahead of me were barely half my age save for the winner and Olympic triathlete Andrea Whitcombe who dominated from start to finish and ran home 200 metres clear of the pursuing pack. Me I was pleased, very pleased in fact. To finsish at this level in a senior women's race as opposed to a veteran race is encouraging and helps my head no end!!!!!
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