Running41:10 11.24 km (3:40 / km) +346m3:10 / km ahr:177 max:186
The Short Version:
I have a BUCS XC bronze medal (team). Really pleased with that.
The Longer Version:
Always had this race in my mind as a goal coming out of winter. A check to see where I was at. Really its just confirmed things pretty nicely. I'm fit, but not flying just yet. Which is good, I'll take that.
Pleased in the first instance to get into the team, in my mind I wanted to score. Legs didn't feel great on the morning run but when I got to the course I started to get excited. Looked like a great course; lots of variation, lots of hill. Same course as southerns I believe, although from the sound of it it was muddier this week.
Took the first small lap really relaxed with Harry, probably in about 150th or something. Pushed past Jack at some point and took Malley up the little hill. Past Bray going out onto the big lap. From this point it was just a case of getting into a rhythm and not burning out too soon. Kept passing people, eventually passing Jake and McMurray at the start of the second lap (which I didn't expect as I get my arse handed to me in training). I was in the scorers now so I kept an eye on who the important people to catch were. Coming into the last downhill I got in a bit of a battle with a Cambridge guy and even though I thought I had it won, every time I kept trying to push I'd slip a bit and allow him to close the gap. In the end it came to a three way sprint between me, him and an imperial guy which I just managed to win. I think it came down to the fact that I stuck out my leg for the timing mat at the end it was that close. In the end we were three points ahead of Cambridge so that sprint was vital.
21st in the end and third counter for the team.
Think I paced it really well. There seemed to be a lot of people who went out too hard. Great atmosphere on the course, going from pretty quiet to corridors of noise and then back in a number of places.
Jeff Butt told me that I looked strong, but also that I was the biggest guy in the top 30. I'll take it as a compliment.
Running16:06 3.36 km (4:47 / km) +27m4:36 / km ahr:148 max:182
Running16:02 5.03 km (3:11 / km) +50m3:02 / km ahr:177 max:186
Park run.
Felt ok, went off with the intention of running hard which I did. Seemed to be a pretty similar course to the Endcliffe parkrun in terms of hills. Second lap was a bit difficult with lots of people to pass and weave around. But still a good effort.
Running20:59 3.58 km (5:52 / km) +20m5:42 / km ahr:123 max:133
2 PM
Running7:23 [1] 1.45 km (5:05 / km) +1m5:04 / km
Running7:18 [1] 1.43 km (5:06 / km)
5 PM
Running44:50 [2] 8.76 km (5:07 / km) +65m4:56 / km
Running58:54 [2] 11.65 km (5:03 / km) +8m5:02 / km
Canal. Very muddy.
Slipped early on, landing on my knees. Thought nothing of it until later when I thought, my knee is a bit sore. Looked down and my whole lower leg was covered in blood. Got back and showered to reveal a couple of tiny cuts behind some impressive bleeding.
Running1:26:00 19.07 km (4:31 / km) +225m4:15 / km ahr:142 max:185
Same hills as two weeks ago, starting maybe 30m further on because of roadworks. Felt really good until we hit the hill proper on the 5th one. Then I started to suffer. Still one more than last time and I think a bit faster.
Running7:32 1.75 km (4:18 / km) +8m4:13 / km ahr:157 max:187
Running58:33 15.77 km (3:43 / km) +83m3:37 / km ahr:159 max:171
8 miles threshold and then back. Very windy in parts and my stomach was not great at the end. Probably about right to leave it at 8 rather than push it..
7 PM
Running7:06 1.5 km (4:43 / km) ahr:125 max:132
Running4:36 0.84 km (5:30 / km) +2m5:26 / km ahr:129 max:150