Thames Valley Cross Country 2011/12

Commiserations on your race pal....never good to get a DNF, but probably a wise decision. If my sole hadn't fully come off, I would have had a decision to make too, as i couldn't have run with that flapping about. And i had to pull out of Sandhurst xc as i was a bit injured then too...lucky the next one is so close...hope you're healed! 

When Annie flew by,  i presumed i was underpar, as our record head to head is something like 15-0 to me! But it's clear she had a stonker, whereas i was probably in and around where i should be on this one. But no wonder given her training.... i'll be after revenge at the non hilly Reading

It's like you say, you guys perhaps had 3 in the top 6 or so, we had 1 there, but then 2 more in the top 10men.  Our squad is stronger though. And when you add the women in, I think we'll pip it for today.

It's all good rivalry though, had some good banter with a couple of your guys like Phil, and Tom before hand.

Would be really tasty if both teams put their strongest lineups out. I know you were missing Chris, Steve F and Mr Cooney, whereas we have a couple of possible top tenners, as well as a solid top 15man!

I guess it'll never happen that everyone is available,so i'll be happy masquerading in the top 10 (men, anyway )

Great race!

I fell at about 1.5 miles - after the leafy downhill as it turned uphill. I saw a wet branch and avoided it but managed to tumble, and roll out of the way. It was a busy part of the course.

Stevie - I saw you after the uphill before the stables and you were heading out and down. Didn't realise how far the course had stretched out by then.

Bad luck BOTF. But you live to fight another day.

I think I've been pipped out of a scoring place for Finch but we'll see. Hopefully sub-100 placing today too.

Is always great chatting about the race AFTER. But is a right nightmare during!

Cat, think I was hallucinaing by that time, could just about stay on track!

Oh yeah, did anyone almost take a wrong turn on the bit just before the big grassy downhill at about 4miles?  There was just a slight bit of doubt , but at the last min i spotted a steward and went the right way.

this is the problem with not being close enough to someone in front and a big gap opening!

He lost 3 places! How did he manage that. Was badly positioned marshall/lack of tape if I'm being super critical. Especially as after 2 hard hills the mind fluid was mashed.

I think we exchanged a glance before the race, but it was that stressy 3mins to the start period where you're more concerned with ensuring laces are tied, the body is well "de-fluided" and suchlike.

I really have to stop being one of those annoying start line jokers though...it's not the right frame of mind to smash a hilly xc in

Hey all - thanks for the nice comments about the winner!  That was my OH - he loved the course almost as much as I did.  In terms of fell running - he's only ever done one and got beaten because he chose to use a gate and someone else vaulted a wall on the downhill.  He learnt a lot that day!  (He was the North of Scotland xc champ though if that makes anyone feel better)

Thank you also to the Finch Coaster chap who hoiked me back up when I tripped over a root under all those leaves - can't believe I managed to fall down going uphill but he had me back on my feet before I'd even really touched the floor - what a star!

howdy Sleep Bear, is quite ironic that when i leave Marlow for xc your fella turns up!

I'm still 2nd claim to marlow though, living 5miles away and all, so i'm sure i'll get  taken out for a spin by him at some point soon!

Hey SG - LOL - sod's law eh!  We're only here until the spring anyway - we've just been told we're moving again as soon as a house comes up.  Off to Lincolnshire - might struggle to find many hills there so I'm told so we'll be making the best of being down here.

Yeah - come out to play - we try to get there most Thursday nights but I'm sure if you wanted a run at a weekend he'd be happy for some company.  Doing hills by yourself can be a bit dull! And on Sundays he runs twice so hopefully one or the other'd suit you.

Ah blimey, that's a quick move, the downside of RAF living I guess. Presumed you'd be here for 2-3years at least. 

I'm sure i can find some place in the week to join him for a run, will just have to make sure it's his easy pace and my hard pace

i must admit i did enjoy the expressions of runners on sunday when i told them who Marlow had running for them!  I was in the gang of 10behind Ben at the start, and the banter was that this was the proper race, ie for 2nd place!

not sure about anyone else, but i came out a mere 6seconds faster. To be fair, i was on my own from 2.5miles, lost the whole bottom of one shoe in the really muddy bit, and to be fair felt like i was doing terribly all race, only to finish and be delighted after a few injury hit weeks!

Also, yesterday's course is so twisty, after a mile he was probably long out of sight.

The saturday league xc is a much higher standard I believe,and would give Ben a better workout. i came 11th yesterday, but would possibly be in the 40-50th mixer on a saturday, as there are about 40 clubs, and they've had the 10k national champ race before.

having said that, i doubt there's more than about 50 people in the country capable of running 50mins for 10miles, so im sure he wouldn't be too far down the field!!

Eeeek -  Sounds a pretty good run then all considered!

He's only running because I wanted to.  His first claim puts him in the Midlands league - not sure that double league racing would do him much good!  Besides, does the 'serious' league have as many scrumptious cakes?  The Midlands one certainly doesn't.  He'll do anything for cake

Stevie G . wrote (see)

having said that, i doubt there's more than about 50 people in the country capable of running 50mins for 10miles, so im sure he wouldn't be too far down the field!!

I'll mention it to him - I've only ever done 4 x 5ks so I've already bookmarked Black Park for myself (the parkruns had only arrived in Inverness just before we left last summer).  The muddier the better in our world! What's the course record as it stands?