The morning of the first cross country race I woke thinking what a relaxed day I was going to have, until 30 minutes later I was persuading my hubby to drive me to hedge end station to meet everyone because I'd decided I was going to do the first cross country run of the season.
Once arrived at Pamber Forest, and trying not to let my nerves get the better of me, I went to the start with the rest of the hedges. When the race had started, the blue/white/red vests soon disappeared into the distance, and Lisa and I continued our way along the path.
The path was muddy, wet, had lots of small obstacles, was hilly, and had sheep. They were bleating their disdain at being disturbed by many runners going through their field.
The course was hard going, but with Lisa as company, we kept each other running through the forest. During the last half mile I wasn't sure whether I was going to cry or be sick, or even both, but regaining my composure, I kept going up to the end which was on hill!!!!! Thankfully we were encouraged on by Cliff and Alan both coming back along the course at the end to keep us going to the end. Being a generally polite person on paper I will say the hill was steep, but my actual thoughts were less polite as I was finishing that hill!!!!!
Running a race where you know that your speed and endurance is not as good as many other experienced runners is really daunting, but as the saying goes, you have to start somewhere. Having the support of the team before and at the end kept me going. And also with Donna taking part, meant that Donna, Lisa and myself managed to place a women's team regardless of where it was actually placed. I felt that I had contributed something to the club. I had doubts about doing the race on the journey up, and wondering why I was doing it, but I was going to give it a go. But having the feeling that the rest of the HERC members had faith in you that you could do it, meant that my motivation to keep going was stronger.
To hear more experienced runners say that the course was tough was reassuring that it wasn't just me that found it tough in places.
Once arrived at Pamber Forest, and trying not to let my nerves get the better of me, I went to the start with the rest of the hedges. When the race had started, the blue/white/red vests soon disappeared into the distance, and Lisa and I continued our way along the path.
The path was muddy, wet, had lots of small obstacles, was hilly, and had sheep. They were bleating their disdain at being disturbed by many runners going through their field.
The course was hard going, but with Lisa as company, we kept each other running through the forest. During the last half mile I wasn't sure whether I was going to cry or be sick, or even both, but regaining my composure, I kept going up to the end which was on hill!!!!! Thankfully we were encouraged on by Cliff and Alan both coming back along the course at the end to keep us going to the end. Being a generally polite person on paper I will say the hill was steep, but my actual thoughts were less polite as I was finishing that hill!!!!!
Running a race where you know that your speed and endurance is not as good as many other experienced runners is really daunting, but as the saying goes, you have to start somewhere. Having the support of the team before and at the end kept me going. And also with Donna taking part, meant that Donna, Lisa and myself managed to place a women's team regardless of where it was actually placed. I felt that I had contributed something to the club. I had doubts about doing the race on the journey up, and wondering why I was doing it, but I was going to give it a go. But having the feeling that the rest of the HERC members had faith in you that you could do it, meant that my motivation to keep going was stronger.
To hear more experienced runners say that the course was tough was reassuring that it wasn't just me that found it tough in places.
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