BC X-Country Championships 20:36 (1:03:20)

Saturday, October 27, 2007

What a fab day of cross-country racing! BCs this year was super exciting especially the Senior Men’s race with the top three in a pack right up until the last 400metres where there was a sprint to the finish with Simon breaking easily away, showing his huge talent in the speed department. It was a nice day too, with loads of spectators and a course that allows everyone to view almost the entire length of the race. Juice ran the all-comers race in the morning with Boob. Apparently there were eight ribbons to give away but only seven runners! He said he went out too hard trying to keep up with Rob (!) and died a slow death on the course…we’ve all been there. Sylvan said he had a terrific run so he’s back, baby! I, on the other hand, had a far from stellar run today. My warm-up and strides felt great but about 400m into the race I thought hmmm…this is feeling a bit too uncomfortable too soon. Sure enough, about 2kms in I could feel myself getting flatter and flatter. I had no spring in my legs and had no ability to switch gears when the lead pack started to pull away on the second loop…nothing and just felt tired. I tried everything but my body wasn’t responding. So I was left on my own, sucking wind and just trying to keep moving…fun! Oh well, it was still a good experience and a good speed session. We knew going in that this wasn’t going to be a big goal race for me and I was feeling less than sharp all week. I paid the price for the bigger volume weeks leading in but this work will hopefully pay off in January. I’ve got to do some stuff on the track to work/concentrate on my turn-over and form. I can’t say I was “running tall”. It was more like running short and stiff…ha! Malcolm would have been horrified! So, Matty has set up this week for me and has included a couple of days with Pose drills and a track session and it looks like we are adding a few more days of spinning to the week.

Thanks to everyone who came out to watch and cheer! I also got a chance today to meet and chat with some of the Vikes women during the warm-up and cool-down which was nice.

The day ended with a reunion of the old gang at Il Greco. Pan-Pan and Lin were in town and Squintch, Don-Don and Tori were there. There was tons of razzing mostly towards Pan-Pan. Don-Don was a weakling and used Tori as a shield so I couldn’t quite get at him but managed a beautifully executed sharp finger-nooggy to his head just as we were leaving! Joyce hung out with us and spoiled us rotten. Thanks Joyce and Angelo!

two comments:

Yeah, those first couple of races back are hard, that is why I am concentrating on “Fun Runs” and keeping away from the AV (Athletics Victoria) Summer Season for the time being.

Still a damn good showing though, well done, and isn’t the atmosphere at those meets fantastic!
Em (email) (link) - 29 10 07 - 01:29

Thanks Em! Yeah, I LOVE the atmosphere at cross races. It’s very different from road races. I’m looking forward to see how you do once you back racing seriously again..it’s going to be good!
Mar - 29 10 07 - 15:43