Perivale Cross-Country – Saturday 10^th February 2007

Although this was the toughest and the longest cross-country race I’ve completed this season, I’m so glad I did it! We had quite a good turnout this year; if anyone else is thinking of joining us next season then I’d thoroughly recommend it. It’s nice to run on traffic-free courses, it’s ‘only’ a few miles on a Saturday afternoon (a good excuse for a few drinks on Saturday night!) and I’ve found it to be great training as it really is different running on grass/mud instead of the road.

As Sharon and I set off, her husband asked why we weren’t out shopping on a Saturday afternoon, like normal ladies! Within seconds, we were ankle-deep in mud and water, cold, wet, wondering why we were doing this, but still laughing!

Facilities were limited – no toilets, no refreshments (luckily Ian bought his own lunch!), not even a map of the course, as far as I could see. Just hundreds of people of all ages and varying abilities running round a muddy field - I guess this is really what cross-country is all about.

Gary, Sharon and I had to run 2 laps (as usual, I missed the announcement at the start and was hoping it was all over after lap 1!). Jack and Tony had to complete an extra lap and missed the photograph, I’m afraid. I certainly didn’t envy them, as the course was getting muddier and more slippery as the afternoon went on.

Better than a shopping trip any day!

Official times:

Gary Nisbet 29.42

Jack Nisbet 44.26

Tony Kent 52.22

Sharon Nettleton 34.08

Michelle Sampson 35.13

Wormwood Scrubs Cross-Country 13th January 2007

The course was more challenging than I expected – how difficult can running around a fairly flat field be?! Quite difficult actually, especially if you’re wearing trail shoes. Sharon and I nearly gave up after the first 100 metres as we struggled to stay upright in the slippery conditions. Perhaps we’ll invest in spikes next season!

Things improved after that and it was nice to have some support at the end, as the men’s race started a few minutes after we’d finished. It can feel quite lonely out on the course when marshals and spectators are supporting their own Clubs. Although the courses are well-marshalled, unlike road races, they don’t tend to cheer everyone on.

As usual, Gary’s course was the same as ours, whilst the men had to complete an extra lap. It wasn’t as far as I was expecting, although I was still glad to reach the finish!

Good facilities, including a selection of refreshments, as sampled by our supporters! I guess they need some sort of incentive for standing out in the cold on a Saturday afternoon though!

A good performance from us all and we even made it home again within being invited to remain at Her Majesty’s pleasure!

Official times:

Gary Nisbet 18.11

Jack Nisbet 36.42

Tony Kent 45.14

Sharon Nettleton 21.13

Michelle Sampson 21.47

St Albans Cross Country 14th October 2006

This was the first Cross Country of the season for me, and I was anxious. I didn't perform too well in last seasons cross country and I wanted to improve on that this year. In a letter stating when the race was, it said that the course would be 6km long, which is quite a long way for Under 17 Men, as last year the farthest distance was around 4.5km. Also as it was my first time on the course, I didn't really know my way around, but it was in a lovely setting around some football fields and there was a lake over the far side. And so the race started, as I had heard it was 6km long I mad sure I started easy so that I had enough to complete the race., but as I was coming round after about 2km it looked as if the race was only going to be one lap so many people were speeding up ready for the line. But about 1/2km out I saw some of the front runners going off on another lap so I made sure that I conserved my energy. After the first lap it was a long hard slog round the second lap to the finish line, I made sure I kept a steady pace and I managed to overtake a few people on the last lap. And then I was in the last 1/2km again but this time for the last time, I started my move overtaking the boy I had been running with for a while and then caught up to the 2 in front. It was about 150m out and they both started sprinting for the line, I usually wait until closer in to start my sprint but I had to go with them otherwise I would have lost my battle against them. To start with I thought one of them was getting away but I managed to sprint past him and up a hill and then to the finish to claim a well deserved 29th place. (Gary Nisbet)

Ruislip Cross Country 28th October 2006

We had a record turnout for the Running club at a Met League X Country event, we were represented in 3 categories:

Under 17’s ( Entries 51 )

Gary Nisbet 24:52 Position 35

Ladies race ( Entries 135 )

Michelle Sampson 31:02 Position 115

Jacqui Howell 36:55 Position 131

Pam Swadling 41:25 Position 134

Mens Race ( Entries 305 )

Jack Nisbet 35:08 Position 151

Ian Smith 40:05 Position 264

Tony Kent 43:18 Position 291

The talk before the race was the usual, should we wear spikes or not, will the course be muddy, are there any hills, how many loops is it. In addition it was the first X country that some of the runners and done, and some were a little worried about how they would compare to the seasoned club runners in the field.

First off was Gary in the Under 17’s race, the course was over 6K with two large laps, going up the long drag of a hill twice. He did very well, still

managing a smile on his way to the finish line along with his usual sprint !

The ladies started 5 minutes after Gary , a little apprehensive, but all cheered up when they were told that there were doughnuts for them at the finish. Their course was 2 laps as well, ( 6K ). The men managed to support them for

their first lap, most of them were smiling as they went passed, but you could see that it was a bit harder than they had expected, but they all managed to stay with the other runners.

The men’s race was 3 laps of the course (8K) and once again had 300+ runners taking part, the terrain was bumpy at the start then on to the paths, with some places having thick mud for us to run through. This course is one of the best in the Met League with real hills, tracks and mud and is great for real X country enthusiasts. After 3 laps, you turn off to the finish onto the bumpy grass field and race to the line.

Overall everyone enjoyed the race, those with spikes managed better than those with off road shoes, and a few people said it was tougher than they had expected, but everyone was still smiling. Hopefully everyone will manage to come to the next X Country and maybe we can get a few more to take part ?

I would also like to thank Pam for the changing tent. (Jack Nisbet)