GNR 2009 by custombacchus

Wow that was an experience.  I know it's a long long while since I ran X-country at school and I never did a 10k X-country but that was something else.

Being ill prepared, only 1 run in 10 days before race, was a big mistake.  "Undulating" in x-country terms is very sinilar to what my ecg weould have been like after this race.  Road running hills by their design cannot exceed a certain gradient otherwise vehicles would not be able to run up or down them. Roads also cannot swithcback on themselves drop down a hill and then go straight back up without a tranistion.  X-country these design features do not apply.  Long steep climbs, short steep drops, zigzaggin switchbacks through woodlands and bluebells, followed by more climbs and drops and switchbacks.

Add to this the runners with dogs start a couiple of minutes behind you.  Nothing spurs you on more than the sound of baying hounds charging up behind you.  OK they weren't baying and they were pre-dominantly huskies but still it kind of gives you a bit of  a kick.

Definitely doing this one again next year if I don't get into the London Marathon or if they are on different weekends.  great for hill training, great for building stamina, well organised only 150 ish in the field this year but upto 500 possible.  Still in it's infancy this being it's second year but cetrtainly worth a go if you are local or like your x-country.

Time wasn't great and I was absolutely knackered at the end but you have to run it all no long downhills where you can realx and let the legs recover or long flat bits where you can get into any sort of pace.  pAce always changing alongwith the gradient.

Loved it.

MAtt