So, since the 4th of Jan, I have managed to fit in 2 cross-country races and the Long Mynd Valleys fell race. The first xc was the North Mids league race at Wollaton Park. These things are a thoroughly demoralising affair, as they are competitive, and I can't make it into the top 50. Same with this one, struggled around it (managed to give Simon Reed a bit of encouragement along the way) and came in 72nd in 41:01. A bit slow, even for me.
The next xc race (the following weekend) was even more demoralising for me. Usually, in the East Mids league is nowhere near as competitive as the North Mids, and I can sneak into the top 10, especially on a hilly course like Bramcote Park. Not to be though, even getting passed by Brett and Tom (people I can usually comfortably beat) for a brief period of time. Managed 11th in 38:38, but I was a full minute slower than last year, even though conditions were excellent and I am theoretically fitter and faster. It made me think, what on earth has happened to make me perform this poorly? Then I though about all the racing I had done recently. Since the 1st of December, I have done on average, just over 1 race a week. There was one weekend I missed out, but only because I did a relay race the Thursday before, and a 30 miler the Wednesday after. Well and truly raced out!
Fast forward to the 2nd of Feb, with an entire weekend off racing (still training though) and the Long Mynd Valleys fell race. This race is brutal, in my opinion the hardest 11 miles in the fell race calendar, with over 4000ft of climb, and a large portion of that in the last 3 miles. I managed to successfully overdress myself, so that I baked most of the way round, and also managed to slip into my long distance groove - that pace where it kinda feels like your pushing it, but you aren't really. That, combined with a new route and poor route choice meant I finished waaaaaaaaaaaaaay down the field, although I did manage 2 mins faster than last year (I'm picking, because it was an easier course!)
Other than that, training is on schedule for the Highland Fling, my first big focus race of the year (got the Hardmoors 55 but that's more long distance training than one of my "A" races - not to say I won't race it though, as I haven't managed to figure out a way of going into a race and switching off my competitiveness).
I have also entered the Ultra Tour of the Peak District, a nice looking 60 miler around, strangely enough, the Peak District. There's actually a bit of a story behind this... So, I saw a competition on Facebook, through http://www.eightpointtwo.co.uk/ and DigDeep Ultra. I entered it, as I do, then randomly won it (along with 2 other people), getting some Mammut kit (Jacket, shorts, tee), 2 pairs of Injinji socks, an Ultimate Direction Access hydration belt thingy, and get to participate in 3 promotional short videos about the 3 of us winners in the lead up to the race - how our training is going, how we fit it in, etc. Famous at last!
I did the interview part of the filming the weekend before last, and it's with Summit Fever Media (http://www.summitfever.co.uk/), the same people who were at the Hardmoors 30 taking photos. It was all very friendly, but still damn nerve wracking staring down a camera with a light-reflecting thing shining at you! The weather at that point in time was, well..thunderstormy so the action shots are being done next Thursday up in the Peak District. I'm told it's really unexciting and involves loads of standing around. Can't wait.
Next on my list of races to do is, East Mids league race 4 at Colwick Park. I have had another weekend off racing (did a lovely run around Ambergate/Cromford - see below for pictographs) so hopefully my racing legs have perked up! It's the hilliest of the xc races, came 8th last time I did it so hoping for big things! The weekend after that, it up to Grizedale for the Grizedale Trail Marathon, looking to improve on my 3rd at Rivington.
It won't last.
