What's that coming over the hill? Is it a leopard? No, it's Diane!

This weekend Match 1 of the Brooks Westward XC League was held at Redruth School. The Westward League is a series of 6 XC [cross country] races held between October and March at Newquay (includes Cornwall AA County Champs), Exeter (includes Devon AA County Champs), Bideford, Bovey Tracey and Plymouth. The series covers a range of age groups from Under 13 boys and girls, U15, U17 and mens and ladies. The competition is a team event requiring a particular number of runners counting for each category, therefore many clubs have A, B, C, D teams, etc. The course was set out over four fields at Redruth School with 3 steep banks and 3 descents, the distance is different for the various age categories, for ladies it was 4,900m which equated to 3 large laps i.e. 4 fields, unfortunately the men weren’t that lucky and had to run 8,100mm, i.e. 5 laps!

I ran for CAC, which had 68 people out across all the age categories; other clubs, included Tavistock, Bideford, Newquay & Par to name just a few. I decided to have a stab at XC this winter season as many people alledged that it would do wonders for my road racing, so I thought why not, what is the worst that can happen? The ladies were up second and we ran with U17 ladies and U17 men. I was so nervous and absolutely freaking out about finishing last, what made it worst was that the field included some of the County’s top runners such as Emma Stepto, Annabel Gummow and Isabel Steele! However, there was no more time to panic as the gun went and we were off, be warned xc goes off very fast and within seconds it was time for the first ascent. My chest was burning and legs were thinking what the hell, but once the first two hills were out of the way it was time to find a decent pace and settle in, however, in xc that isn’t possible as at every corner/hill/descent there is someone shouting your name, there is no time to slack! Also you have to constantly change pace to accommodate the ups and downs. I was wearing my watch and although I was timing the race I didn’t look at it, I was pacing myself by leg and lung failure, until such time I had to keep running. A CAC team mate informed me that I ran the first mile in about 7.30/7.40 minutes! Needless to say the second lap felt a little harder, however, before I knew it I was heading for the final hill of the second lap when I got lapped by two boys and Annabel, I didn’t find this too depressing, as they are all truly amazing runners. So onto the final lap, which felt more comfortable than one would imagine, two hills down, a straight section, two nice descents before the final hill, then the home straight!

I accomplished my goals of not finishing last, not falling over and I didn’t walk, my watch said 27:39, which was very pleasing on the eye. I have to say that having not run xc since primary school I found the experience very enjoyable and I recommend it to any road runner, it’s hard work and there is no time to think “OMG I can’t do this” as at every turn there is someone cheering you on and when Dave Buzza is at the top of the last hill shouting “keep it up” you have to keep running. The course wasn’t too muddy as my race was early on, but some people did fall over on the descents, phew thank god for the leopard print spikes! Another bonus was that it was free to enter as part of the CAC team. As the races are divided into age categories I got to watch the other races, including the mens, which had some outstanding runners from the South West. XC definately atrracts some top quality runners, however, there is also a place for the slower runners, with a range of abilities across all age categories, everyone is encouraged and made to feel welcome. I know some people don’t like the thought of running around fields as they imagine it to be boring, yes the scenary is the same, but after one lap at least you know what is coming up and there isn’t time to look around! All in all it’s a fast paced event, but before I knew it, it was over and I was left feeling really good about my running performance and ready for the next xc challenge!

So come on guys grab your spikes and I’ll see you at Newquay for the next match 6th November!

Results to follow. More information can be found at Ironbridge Runner Events

Diane