This was my first attempt at cross country running since the last Met league meet with the London Frontrunners, which was at least two years ago. At that time I had intended to run these more regularly but after doing the first one I got injured and then never got around to signing up again. I couldn't come to the first fixture this season at Claybury but, despite the problems with the trains, I made it to Fairlands Valley Park in Stevenage, where the run was to take place.
From what I saw of it, Stevenage looked pretty grim. It was a new town with lots of concrete modernist buildings and grey canyons running around these. The rain and wind did not improve my perceptions; the place seemed cold, unwelcoming and unfriendly. Fairlands Valley Park would be a lovely place to walk or run around in good weather, but by the time I arrived the rain was pouring and there was a very strong wind blowing; I did not want to take my coat off when the time came to run, it was so cold!
The start of the race was fairly haphazard but I got going and not long afterwards the rain stopped and the sun came out. I was glad I had brought my spikes as conditions underfoot were muddy in places, though it wasn't too wet. The course itself was not very interesting. In previous years it had apparently taken in some woodland next to the park, but on this occasion we did three loops around the playing fields, with a couple of minor humps to run up and down. It was tough going on the soft ground and my feet were wet before the race even started, so it wasn't especially comfortable. Apart from these grumbles though I felt fine throughout the race, my legs kept me going and my tiredness was more mental than physical. It was hard not knowing exactly how many laps I would be running, and other people I asked there didn't seem to be sure either. I was very pleased to finish, feeling cold, wet and tired!
It is tradition on the cross country runs to make and bring cake for group consumption. I had made a lemon syrup loaf cake and brought it with me to share, it was very moist and tasted very good, even I do say so myself! There were a lot of other good cakes on offer too, and I may have had a small nip of the cognac that Christos brought with him - it really helped to warm me up!
This was a good reintroduction to cross country running and I thoroughly enjoyed the run and the company, in spite of the weather.
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