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Bristol 4k XC

Cold... cold and windy... cold, windy and wet. It was at this point (just arrived) I thought 'what am I doing here!', but as we got to the course I was starting to look forward to it and hoping there would be a good field. I saw Mr Thie straight away with a couple of hisCardiff athletes so that was a good start. I got my number and went for a warm up and then saw a few more familiar faces and was happy I made the trip, there is nothing worse that doing a long drive and then the field is poor so you may as well stay at home.

On the start line it was cold...it didn't help that someone was taking ages to get to the start, I would of just started the race without him! I kept the gloves on and was happy with that decision. It went off rapid and that stuffed me up really, I knew it would go off quickly but could quite get off with it but fingers crossed they will go off a little easier next weekend. By the first turn (4lap circuit) I was in 25th, and a little boxed in really, along with Thie. It opened up a little on the back straight of the course and I managed to get around a few of the runners, a little climb and a couple of turns and then we were going back down the opening straight. Again I tried to get a better position but I was going pretty much flat out, legs wise! I have found on XC that my breathing is never really maxing out but the legs are hurting, once the legs get strong enough I will be flying, haha!

So back to the race and I was moving through the field, I past Thie which was a bit of a surprise and then a few more, by the last lap I was in 8th place. I could see a couple of guys ahead (Bugden and Ieuan) I kept working and by the back straight I was on them both, I knew it would be hard to get them both as the finish was in sight and they are better on the grass and with a good sprint finish, I tried to push on but Bugden had other ideas. Just over the little climb he pushed away and I tried to latch on. I worked my little legs off to the line...7th.

Think the results were Russell, Tickner, ?, Haywood, ?, Bugden, Me, Ieuan, Steve Davies. Will link results when I find them.

I was happy with the place I think, I beat some guys I didn't expect to beat over 4k on the grass but really need to get away better. All in a learning curve.

 

Simx