Cross Country 2023-24

[Travs]

There were dire warnings last night that today's course at Northampton was flooded and would be re-routed or shortened.

Thankfully the full course was able to go ahead as planned, although it was pretty muddy for Northampton.

I was a little more preoccupied with my foot/ankle issue. A pre-race discussion with my coach and i decided to go steady for 2.5 laps (6-7km) and if i felt ok to push on the final few km.

My main issue was not being able to get up on the balls of my feet, meaning when i hit the (frequent) very muddy sections i struggled to get purchase with my spikes and was all over the place. In hindsight i should have probably worn my x-talons given i had to run a bit more flat-footed today.

As it was, after 2.5 laps i was only about 15 seconds behind a couple of clubmates, one of which i've had some running battles with earlier in the season (although last couple of XC i've beat him convincingly)..... i put in a massive effort up the hill to get on their shoulders.... unfortunately that did it for me and i effectively hobbled round the final lap, losing about a minute on that lap alone.

Still i was glad i raced, was 11th man so scored in the B team and was 4th counter in the Masters team.

In the overall results... Birmingham Uni had their weakest fixture, but had enough points in hand to take the league victory. At the other end of the table, host club Rugby & Northampton pulled off a "great escape" and managed to dodge relegation, unfortunately condemning GazB's old club Wolves & Bilston to the drop.

We were 10th, firmly in mid-table after a bit of a scare on the opening fixture.... for my part, our B team were 6th and Masters team also 6th.

The most frustrating part of today was my below-par run today cost me three milestones that were easily in reach today had i been fit...

A highest ever race position.
Top 100 individual overall for the season.
Top 30 individual Master for the season.

Hopefully back firing on all cylinders for the National in a fortnight.... however i'll drop it if not 100% as i'd rather be in good shape for the Cardingmill Canter the weekend after.