My first cross-country race

By Emily Holden Aged 30⅓

Having seen how much Laura’s running improved in the last year since getting involved in cross country racing I decided that this could be what I needed to keep me running over the winter. But as I woke to torrential rain on the morning of my first cross-country race, I began to question the wisdom of my decision. When my boyfriend showed me video clips on you-tube of runners falling into Senneley’s famous water feature, I was sorely tempted to retreat back to bed.

Still, a few hours and a large bowl of porridge later, there I was lined up with the crowds of competitors in my blindingly new spikes, waiting for the off. Miraculously the sun had come out just in time and it was turning into a pleasant day. It is hard to explain why I felt so nervous about running in a cross-country race, but I think it was just a fear of the unknown. Once we’d got going I started to enjoy myself, until about half way through when I began to think I was going too fast and might not be able to keep up my pace. I think I probably did slow down but held my position and was pleased most of all to get through the water ditch without falling in. What I liked about this race was the amount of support, particularly from Joe, Laura’s dad, Sue and Marianne, who all gave timely bits of advice at crucial moments!

Of course we had it easy in the balmy late-October weather and I’m wondering how I’ll feel the next time I wake up to the prospect of a cross-country race – in the cold of December. Still, it was fantastic to feel a part of the Bournville team and I’m sure once again the support will carry us through. Thank you Bournville Harriers!

Caroline writes:

I have spent the weeks since agreeing to run for Bournville in yesterday's Cross Country race in Senneleys Park worrying.  I don't like hills, I don't really like mud, and racing makes me nervous in general.  Despite all of my fears, I actually ended up having a really good time.  The atmosphere in the park was very friendly and there was a huge amount of support around the course, both from members of the men's team waiting their turn to run, and from other Bournville members who turned up to cheer us on.  Everyone ran really well, and the race really felt like a team event which was nice.  Thanks especially to Sue Ward for lending me her spikes, and to Helen Foot for organising things and providing the much appreciated goody bag at the end.  All in all, a tough race but very satisfying.

Linda writes:

As always, Senneleys Park provided the venue for the first race of the cross country season. With it’s undulations, changeable course width and famous water feature, this really is a great introduction to cross country. It also reminds you just how much tougher it is than running on a road!

The event incorporates junior races as well as the senior events, and it’s always good fun to watch some of the kids race. It also makes you feel very humbled and silly for moaning about various aches and pains, you never see the kids doing that! Nor do you see them warming up, worrying about toilet queues or finely tuning when to have that last snack, they just get on with it.

The ladies set off at 13:55, and after Joe’s encouragement to get a good start I lined up next to Mel on the second row behind some bright young things in pants, the rest of the ladies gathered behind us in various degrees of anticipation (read dread :-)). We were off and heading up the first incline to turn right and down and on our way to the toughest 6.5km of the year.

The first lap bypasses the water feature, but takes in the majority of the inclines, as we neared the end of lap one I was wondering how I was going to do all that again, apparently Laura, being much more optimistic than me, was thinking that it was only one lap to go. The second lap takes you past the finish then round a large field to the water feature, the best supported part of the whole course! The ladies ahead of me helped enormously by judging it a bit wrong and giving me a helpful clue as to the best route to take, so through in two steps and out onto solid ground. By this point I was having a good battle with a lady from Tipton as we worked to our strengths and continuously passed each other. It helped me focus and pushed me on, so I was a little perturbed when she dropped out two thirds of the way round the second lap. I plodded on trying hard to keep the ladies ahead in my sights. I was very relieved to cross the path onto the finishing section and ran hard for home.

Everyone ran fantastically well, for some of the ladies it was their first cross country experience, and hopefully they will be back for more.

In retrospect it was great fun, and a brilliant experience, it was also fantastic to be able to watch all three mens divisions battle it out over three laps, taking in the water feature twice.

Thanks to Helen for organising us, and to everyone who came along to support, it was much appreciated!

UPDATED RESULTS

The results are here

http://www.birminghamccleague.co.uk/images/MidWomensCCLgeresults24October2009.pdf

And here

http://www.birminghamccleague.co.uk/ I clicked on Womens CC League

Brian Smith's photos here.  Results here (no team results yet).

BvH Photos here

Pos	Name	Cat	Cat Pos.	Time
22	Melanie James	L35	1	25:31
46	Linda Howell	L	46	27:01
103	Laura Leslie	L	103	30:17
112	C Harlan-Marks	L	112	30:38
120	Emily Holden	L	120	31:11
137	Sarah Rock	L	137	31:45
139	Kathryn Abbott	L	139	31:49
143	Sally McCulloch	L	143	31:58
150	Tania Ugwu	L35	40	32:22
154	Cat Ricketts	L	154	32:41
157	Helen Foot	L35	44	32:49
179	Michaela Thompson	L35	53	34:21