Thames Valley Cross Country 2011/12

I've never done that race in the dry before - today it was so bright that running into the sun I could barely see where I was going. I really struggled to get going today though,and my legs just didn't feel like they had any life at all. Ended up 67th in 36:02 which is 6 seconds slower and 4 places lower than last time I ran it in 2009, but with a slightly changed start & finish. I finshed in the right position within the club though I think, so no complaints.

Looks like the Dasher men won it - I think they said we had 1,2,4,7,11 & 17. Not sure about the ladies - they won't have won, but I expect probably good enough for 3rd or 4th, so it'll probably be close for the overall win.

114th and ~39 minutes. Last year I was 4 minutes slower and 144th male. In the middle of the pack we come across the line thick and fast, so a higher placing shouldn't need too much more effort.

It's nice to see the benefit of 12 months extra running, and also being familiar with the course. Unfortunately I suffered a school boy error; I stood chatting at the end instead of diving straight for the food.

I didn't do HX last year. Should be interesting...

Just checked last year's results. I was 185th in total, so gained 71 places in total.

One day I'll be nearer the front.

Evening Guys,

19th for me today not bad considering I've trying to shift a touch of the dreaded "man flu". Just wish I didn't take it so easy in the first instance.

Well done to you Datchet Boys- solid running by all.

Stevie G . wrote (see)

Personally I find a 3 hill section on the Finch course the toughest segment of the whole series. Splendid though

Geez, took a bit of finding, this thread, with all the "Pick me/vote for me" spam littering up the forum!!

Toughest course tomorrow then, although shouldn't be much mud, and even possibly could even be a road trainers job, though I wouldn't risk it!

Finally get to race for the new club, which will feel weird with my old club there.

I doubt they'll care, as they have a 50min 10mile man racing tomorrow...so I think that's the winner sorted then!!

A bit of apprehension here for tomorrow.

XC shoes for me, even though I think crampons would be better. Got to dash off after crossing the line, so will miss the grub.

How long is this one?

i think it's at least 5.5miles, maybe only slightly more.

The cruel bit is when you come down the very steep descent at about 4 1/2miles or so, only to see the people in front heading up a pretty steep last hill!

Also, you pretty much can recgonise you're very close to the finish, but the final hill takes you up and around, and the long way round!

The thrash down the grassy bank in the last 400metres (the same hill you go up in at about 3/4miles) is pure adrenaline/fear, desperately trying not to lose a place at the finish, or maybe trying to take someone at the end.

I have the usual pre race mixture of fear and excitement!

just decided that I am going to make the long trip tomorrow after all - tempted by all this talk of a REALLY tricky course!

 SG - are you willing to share a bit more info on the course. All I know is that the start and finish are really tough but what about the middle?

Well...Handy cross is a toughie isn't it. The bit that gets me is the mental side, as I always think I'm having a terrible race. Then you compare against last year's, and it's faster/better position and you think, oh!

First of all, after 3 injury affected weeks a mere couple of weeks ago, was good to race decently.

11th in 36.00dead, as opposed to 12th in 36.06 last year.

Was shocked to see Annie from Sprint's lot smash me, she had an amazing run.  3rd home for Sandhurst, lost to a guy I always lose to at this one, so hopefully i can put that right next time

I wouldn't say it affected my placing, but I bloody lost the sole of my right shoe in the mud midway. Meant I had no grip on the right side for the rest of the race, and basically was running in the equivalent of a paper slipper! No wonder that foot is sore now!

Amazing race by the winner...2nd claim guy for my old gang...50mins for 10miles says it all really, so winning by 3mins isn't any surprise

Gonna be super close between Sandhurst and Datchet for the win on this one.

Watching the winner come down across the field was amazing - he was just flying and was visibly so much faster than those following - wouldn't surprise me if he had some fell running history. Sadly I got to see him because I had to stop at the top of the first hill as my groin/hip just didn't feel right, and I didn't want to risk it.

You're right about Annie, fantasic performance. The only lady I can think of who's ever been that far up in recent years is Sarah Gee. If you look at Annie's history on Power of 10 this year however you'll see she's done lots of hilly off-road stuff including England and UK trail running championships over 32 & 53 miles, so this will have been a gentle run out for her!

Datchet had more higher up the field than Sandhurst, but Sandhurst packed better in the middle, and I wasn't sure whether Sandhurst had 5 or 6 in before our last 3 crossed almost together. I doubt there'll be more than a couple of points in it. The Datchet ladies will be further down this week though I suspect - neither of the top scorers from the last event were there this week.