The National

This week was the week of the English National XC Championships at Alton Towers.

I've never thought of myself as a Cross Country runner, in previous years (long ago) I was decent on drier courses, I probably still am (Herts XC Champion in 1998, 20th in the Southern XC Championships in 99 and 2000), but if it gets wet and very muddy, I struggle. Badly. This year was absolutely no exception.

One feature of running for Bedford & County AC is the club ALWAYS target the Championship races - Southerns, National and the Road Relays. I've had a really bad relationship with the National. I have ALWAYS run poorly on utter quagmire courses. But after my half decent showings over the mud since I found some consistency in my training around Christmas, I fancied a decent run this year, and a best ever finish. I was also gunning for a team medal.

It didn't go well at all, and is right up there with my worst performances. To be fair, this was always likely when we arrived and inspected the course. It was a total and utter MUDBATH. You had to be there to appreciate it. And there was no let up on the course. It was very muddy and deep every single step of the way.

It was supposed to be three long 4k laps, each with an absolute bastard of a hill in, but the conditions took their toll and for some reason the course was shortened to two long laps and a short lap - 10k not 12k and the hill now only twice.

The field got underway and within seconds all I could see were runners backs and a sea of heads. The National really does put you in your place when it comes to giving some perspective on the runner you are. Just one of hundreds.

Immediately I was struggling, slipping everywhere, getting frustrated, just trying to keep upright basically. None of the things I train hard for were being tested here, I was just trying not to fall over.

I was way down the field and it really was bloody hopeless. I had run three pretty firm XC races so far this year and had gone fairly well, but I was having a nightmare run in the National.

Struggling

I managed to stay on my feet but really lost interest in trying to move through the field, it was impossible. I finished 135th, miles and miles behind runners I would beat on the road comfortably. It was pretty humbling. In the last mile I would have loved the ground to turn to tarmac, I would have torn through the field I was so full of running, but unable to use it on the wet, slippery, shitty mud.

I want to be honest with myself. I hate the National, it was a joke running that course. BUT I felt mentally stronger for doing it and finishing it. I'm crap over courses like that, I know it, but I feel better for having done something I'm not good at and as a training stimulus, it must have had a beneficial effect!

Bedford & County were 3rd team but I was never a scorer. My training partner Matt Janes was 20th. Some people can really handle the mud - Dave Norman with a best ever 12th being a great example.

The National capped off a difficult week of training. I had a couple of days away with Mrs L in Berkshire and got some decent runs in. I got back on Wednesday and before leaving to watch the mighty Arsenal play and beat Barcelona I ran a really pleasing 10 mile fartlek session in my new Nike Lunar Racer. The session is described below. I switched into my regular shoes for a two mile warm down. I noticed at the football during the evening my foot (Plantar Fascia) was tender.

On Thursday and Friday I eased off as I had Plantar Fasciitis years ago and it lasted months. I bought some off the peg Orthotics and this seems to have got it under control. I could feel it during the National but it was ok and no problem on a 24 miler on Sunday. The Orthotics are proper running ones and lightweight, so will fit into the racers. As long as I don't subject my feet to the cause of the problem again, I hope to be ok.

Despite easing off I managed a 91.5 mile week and finally succumbed to a Garmin GPS device, which I hope to use when I need it and not become a slave to it.

M - AM 6.4 easy in 43 mins, PM 8 miles from hotel in 50 mins (14.4)
T - AM 7 miles from hotel in 44 mins, PM 7 miles steady from hotel in 42 mins finishing briskly (14)
W - 10 miles in 58 mins comprising 2x 1 mile in 4:56 and 4:53 and just a tiny bit over 2 miles to finish in 10:13 before 2 miles of jogging (12)
T - AM 5.1 miles at 7 min pace, easy, aware of foot, PM 5.1 miles feeling very good, easy (10.2)
F - Just one run of 6.4 miles as concerned about Plantar (6.4)
S - 2 Miles warm up and 2.5 miles warm down, National XC Championships at Alton Towers - 135th in 40 mins (10.5)
S - 24 miles exactly at average of 6:39 pace with Matt Janes. Talking the whole while, felt very comfortable indeed and foot was fine - 2:39 on hilly route

91.5 miles