It was a very big country indeed. Last week’s National Cross Country Championship at Alton Towers was the biggest club event I’ve been to, and was made all the more daunting by a tiny little mud problem. I had decided not to run weeks ago, on the grounds that I would be so far off the pace that everyone would go home, but when I saw the mud I was actually a tad envious.
You see, I like mud. I like splashing and glooping and squelching, and I specially like running through muddy puddles. What I don’t like is big hills and fast competitors, so all in all I think I made a good choice. I was still slightly wistful though.
It was great to see the really top athletes running. Based on the fact that we were once at the same barbecue, I feel I can call Liz Yelling a close friend, and she certainly looked the business as she charged up the hills. The world-class runners are like a different species (thoroughbreds in comparison to my carthorse) and I enjoyed watching their form and trying to compare it with my own. It was like trying to compare Billy Whizz with a three-toed sloth, but I did pick up some useful tips – ie run faster and you’ll finish nearer the front. It looked so bloomin’ easy.
Hyde Park Harriers put in a fine showing, and the boys managed to finish as third Leeds club, behind Leeds City
I’m off for an 18 miler tomorrow in preparation for Trimpell 20 next week. This means I will miss the last PECO cross country of the season. How will I get my mud fix?
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