I would go so far as to say that this race was by far the most brutal that I have encountered so far in my 4 crosscountry seasons. The extra 2 kilometres was made up by a hill that was not only steep, but on an uneven terrain, making finding your footing difficult right from the outset. By the time you reached it for the 4th time, it had become a challenge of staying on your feet, rather than how quickly you could get up it, as the surface had been churned up so much that the section of course was almost un-runnable. I have never encountered a course that has made me debate stopping to walk sections before, but this one had me damn close last time around it!
In total, over the four laps, each runner had to contend with a total of 8 hill sections. A combination of those hills, a driving cold wind and a hailstone storm led to the race being incredibly challenging and energy sapping. On the other hand, the down hill sections were so steep that at points coming down them I didn't think I was going to be able to stop as my arms and legs flailed all over the show! For anyone who says crosscountry courses aren't what they used to be, I would urge them to consider this one next time it is put on! It really was a 'proper ' crosscountry slog.
A slog is exactly what it was, as my time reflected. Despite starting conservatively, I grew into the race quite nicely and overall was very pleased with my performance. However a quick look at the time recorded, and a comparison to last year's performance on a flattish track at Pontefract, shows that I was some 7 minutes slower this time out than on that course, over the same distance, last year - so that goes to show how tough it was! Also comparing the two performances, this time out I just missed out on a top 50 placing, coming through in 53rd. Last time around I came 45th, so perhaps the more runnable course last year suited me? Or maybe it was a better field this time out.
As I say I am happy with my showing this time around, and am looking forwards to the next tests now at the National Championships at the end of February, and the Intercounties in March at the end of the crosscountry season.
This week's training was shaped by a few factors, the race being one of them, and a bout of (man) flu at the start of the week being another. As such, the weekly mileage was slightly down on the previous week, but still in the ballpark for what I was targetting anyway. I missed my Monday Club run, as I was unwell - but also as I was having a meal cooked by Molly to celebrate the fact she has managed to date a runner for 3 years without being tempted to kill him!
On Tuesday, I stayed away from the group speed session at the track and did my own little session on the docks instead, so as not to give anybody my cold. I did a session of 20 x 30 second sprints and 30 seconds recovery jog, which worked quite well as a solo session, considering the fact I wasn't really feeling like doing it I was happy with how it went once I got started.
I finished the week off with a 17 mile long run with Rob Affleck for company, and I was glad of it too in the constant rain that we had to put up with! I found it easier having someone to run it with and as a result went faster than I would have done otherwise, on my own the day after a race. I finished with an average of 6:20 for the first 16, with a slow mile jog cool down bringing the overall average to 6:25.
Total miles for the week: 73
Average pace for the week (m/pm): 6:48
Total mileage for the month of January: 315
Average daily mileage so far this year: 10.15
