I had some of the marathon presumption this week, running on a snowy trail about the same speed as a mountain biker, I simply ask how far he's been etc. he asks the same then gives it the old "have you done a marathon" blah blah as if its the holy grail of running. I actually get the same reaction from some of the running club members. When asked why I didnt take one of the club VLM places, I simply explain that anyone can complete a marathon, but I want to run it fast and thats why im building upto it slowly and may attempt one in 2014.
Competed in the Midlands XC Champs yesterday, arriving at the venue it appeared we would be in for a snowy treat of a race. After some standing round pinning numbers on etc, attaching chip! (whats the point in a champs race?) we jogged around the course for a look, At first it didnt look too bad, there was 4"+ of snow everywhere and the racing line had got slushy and abit muddy but nothing dramatic, further round the course there was a little loop that was more like a normal XC, reasonably muddy and the senior ladies were just coming past and looking like they were struggling and slipping quite alot.
Finished warming up and slipped on the spikes, lots of people had gone with trail/fell shoes. Heading to the start line, my feet had already become Ice blocks! you couldnt help but go through the odd freezing puddle on the warm up resulting in wet socks, but what was the point in changing them, they would shortly be more than abit wet.
Lined up and bang, off we went, the course was due to be 12km, but we were informed that it had been shortened. Instead of 3 long laps we were to run 1 medium lap and 2 long laps. I thought at the time this was abit of a cop out as the course seemed reasonable.
I started steadily as was my plan, to keep the achilles from flaring up and to give the psycological boost that is passing people throughout. As soon as we started there was snow and cold water flying everywhere from people flicking it up with their shoes, we turned onto the medium lap and it soon became apparent that it was going to be more muddy than expected, the ladies had churned it up somewhat whilst we were finishing our warm up. I was just working steadily, gently easing past a few runners, trying to find the best grip, but there was no difference between the snow and the mud. there was a sharp dip in the course on a left hand bend and the marshal there was shouting 'stick to the right its easier', I had noted on the warmup that this was a false economy, easier but longer/slower, and so it proved as lap after last I passed 5 people a time by bombing down the steep left hand side.
By the time we hit the full laps the course had started to turn into a proper epic horrendous mess. I was working with a group trying not to get dropped and wondered roughly what position I was in, looking at the garmin just checking pace, it was slow! and so we plodded on, a case of survival, that god the course was shorter than normal. As we progressed some of the group pressed on, some fell behind, I just stayed at the same pace with two lads as we came onto the final lap.
I like to talk during a race, it only now occurs to me that no-one else really mutters a word, just me saying the odd comment such as 'this is a proper xc lads' and 'holy cr#p this is ridiculous' every time a muddy bog tried to swallow me, which by now what almost every step, 6 - 8" mud for large stretches!
The achilles then started to ache 
but the fact my feet were frozen/numb probably helped alot and we were on the last lap meant I was just going to push on, the guy in front was too far ahead to catch and I was feeling good so knew I c
