It started well, Senneleys Park saw a healthy number of Bournville Ladies braving the first course of the season. Laura endured her first cross country race and it must have been rewarding as she’s constantly raced and improved for the remainder of the season. It’s a while ago now, but I seem to remember enjoying it, especially the water feature. This was probably more enjoyable only having to go through it once…

Unfortunately I had to miss the second league race, it was held on my favourite cross country course at Newbold Comyn, Leamington. It looked like great fun, and also saw more Bournville ladies taking up the cross country challenge.

Between league race two and the Warwickshire championships, two very important things happened, the festive season, and a severe temperature drop.

The former left us all feeling in need of some exercise and redemption. The latter meant that we were faced with a literally freezing Cofton Park for the Warwickshire County race. Being on local turf, the support was amazing and spurred us on in the quite frankly chilly conditions. Nicola managed to smile through the pain to gain the title of most flattering cross country photo. Steve James saved the team from hypothermia by throwing anything warm at us he could find in our bags when we’d finished, and 20minutes later I could just about feel my elbows.

Next up, league race 3 at Counden Park, Coventry. It’s not the most inspiring course and the wind whipped up down the main straight, but it was at least reasonably dry – oh how I wish I’d appreciated that more, and shorter than Cofton. We once again put in a good performance to land ourselves 6th in the league from a starting platform of 10th.

Just a week later, and third week in a row for myself, Laura and Marianne, we ventured up to Mansfield for the Midlands cross country league. I’d never raced this course and I think I’d quite like to do it again despite my negative vibe on the day – I was tired. It had a mix of mud, open grass and woodland and great support in the form of Joe Lewis, Stuart Leslie & Paul Foot. The results didn’t count towards the league, but we still came a respectable 6th, not bad when you consider Loughborough Uni, Birmingham Uni and Tipton Harriers were 1, 2 and 3.

After a short break, Stafford common beckoned for the last league race. We did this race two years ago, but as the slightly longer Midlands version. Happily, this route, though still very difficult, was slightly less daunting. Or so I thought, until I found myself staring at sky having wacked my head off the ground. That aside, the course wasn’t as wet as I remembered, but the going was just as difficult underfoot with tufty grass and uneven ground. They were also mean in putting the finish just after a ditch. Helen nearly went round a third time as she veered off to the left just before the line. Happily she thought better of it and, though unable to fully utilise her famous sprint finish, stayed ahead of the competition. We finished 6th over all and 5th in the Vets category, thanks again to Micheala for completing the team at two days notice– all involved should be proud.

For the foolish few, the season wasn’t over yet, and Parliament Hill was set to loom over us for the National Cross Country. In summary, it was muddy, hilly and the toughest race since, well, the last time I ran it 3 years ago, but it was at least sunny. It was a fantastic atmosphere, I caught the train and as I walked into the park was taken aback. Young athletes were all around and you couldn’t help but be infected by their energy. As I battled up the hills, I tried to remind myself that if Anne could do it, so could I. Though there were a few occasions where I wanted to stop, I knew I wouldn’t, just to be part of it was brilliant, OK, so I was 187 places behind Hattie, ah well – where else would I ever be in the same race? Thanks again to Stuart and Paul for their support, whether I’ll still be thanking Paul once the photos are out…..We came 40th out of 63 teams, congrats ladies!!

It’s been a great season, Nicola and Laura, in their first season with Bournville, have been fantastic and constant members of the team, hopefully more will be encouraged to follow. Battles have taken place – Sarah and Helen, don’t pretend…and Marianne passing me didn’t have anything to do with me keeping going at the Nationals….it’s partly what makes us a great team.

Thanks to Helen for her organisation, encouragement and fabulous goody bags, and to Joe for his time and attention in training and advice, and for making us realise we’re capable of more than we thought.

Well done to all ladies who have taken part during the season, this is a team event, as well as a personal challenge and all involved should be proud of their achievements.

That’s it for this year, but training continues at Cofton Park and no doubt Helen will notify us of next season in due course :-)

Linda

[Linda has another race to go: the Intercounties on 7 March, where she is to represent Warwickshire!]