Monday 22nd February, '09
Welsh XC Champs
Well I went to film this race for the site and it should hopefully, be up today or tomorrow. The race itself was.....well in word, crap! Now before you all go off on one this wasn't the fault of Alex Haines who ran very well to win and I like the guy and hope he stays injury free so people can see how good he is and can be. The actual field was probably only about 50 people and the gaps were big, below is a list of Welsh guys who weren't at the race for one reason or another...
Jon Willis
Matt Janes
Chris Davies
Michael Johnson
Lewys Hobbs
Tom Marshall
Ieuan Thomas
Dewi Griffiths
Simon Lawson
Simon Jones
Daniel Gurmin
Steve Davies
Jorge Thomas
Those are the names off the top of my head, so of course it left massive gaps in the field. All the above are sub 15minute 5k runners, add this to about 10 people watching the race it made the atmosphere about as good as a Wigan football match! The title just doesn't seem to be worth anything anymore from my point of view although I had planned to be there this year, injury ruining that plan. Maybe they need something like the first three to get a trip to an international race (XC) or for prize money, hell there must be something. Also the rule of stopping English runners at Welsh clubs running doesn't help, I am sure Craig Hopkins would have run who lives in Swansea and instead turned up just to watch. I run for English club but can run in the English Champs if I want.
Scan results show that my injury is quite bad and I could be out for a few more months. I can run for about 20-30mins without pain easy but anything more starts to inflame the area around the injury. The doctor did say up to 18months but I don't really want to believe that so will take it a day at a time and hope it clears up doing the exercises, icing, massaging and other things I can do to help the recovery. At the end of the doctors appointment he looked at me and said "I know they can cost a lot of money but when you start to feel ready to train again you might want to think about investing in a good pair of trainers, {while looking at mine I had on which were Saucony Triumphs} I am not sure what make you have on there but Asics are the best and made a real difference to my jogging when I changed to them from Tennis shoes".I thought about explaining that mine were Saucony etc...but may need him so just said thanks I will keep that in mind, it topped off a crap week!
Simx
Comments On "Monday 22nd February, '09"
you go away for a few days.....I think all things have been covered above. Hi Paul, what the only road/cross country race in the world! hehe, good shout.
simx Posted on February 28th, 2010simx
x country
welsh fields have been small last few years just incoperate it into west glam league round margam lake and you get 300 easy only thing its on concrete but who needs to know
paul richards Posted on February 26th, 2010Factual Comments
In response to "unfair"
fair Posted on February 26th, 2010"The race itself was.....well in a word, crap!"
Well, the race was crap with small race attendance and big time gaps between runners who did race.
"The atmosphere [was] about as good as a Wigan football match"
The atmosphere was worse than at a Wigan football match, hardly any spectators at all!
"The title just doesn't seem to be worth anything anymore"
If it was worth anything then runners from the "missing" list would make more effort to attend the Championships.
"Then there is a list of athletes who did not run the race."
Factual list, whats the problem?
Now how is that being respectful to the guys who ran well?
Not disrespectful and being factual. Jonsey stated in his blog that "Alex Haines who ran very well to win."
unfair Posted on February 25th, 2010"The race itself was.....well in a word, crap!"
"The atmosphere [was] about as good as a Wigan football match"
"The title just doesn't seem to be worth anything anymore"
Then there is a list of athletes who did not run the race.
Now how is that being respectful to the guys who ran well?
Not just Welsh XC Champs but all Welsh Champs
What are you on about "fair". Nobody is "casting aspersions" and nobody is criticising Alex Haines or the other runners who took part and who did their best on the day. Indeed Jonsey is best mates and trains with some of the top 10 runners in the race. The criticism is of the Welsh XC Championship "race" itself, which is far from where it should be in terms of Welsh running quality available. Not allowing English athletes to run or any other nationalities for that matter, and apparent lack of "team spirit" between Welsh Athletics and the "better" Welsh XC/endurance athletes is affecting the quality and excitement of the"race" itself. Just like the other Welsh Championship Road and Track races, which are also not worthy and shite.
fair Posted on February 25th, 2010Disrespectful post, Simon. Haines is a classy athlete who could well have won the race anyway. There are probably some guys who had really good runs and were rightly proud of themselves who you have just knocked down. Perhaps you should focus on your own recovery and career before casting aspersions on other athletes' performance.
unfair Posted on February 24th, 2010yes
simx Posted on February 24th, 2010Hey, are you going to put the video up like you say?
Video Posted on February 24th, 2010
simx Posted on February 23rd, 2010Yes the Premier League is rubbish....it's all about the Europa League this year!
simx
Thanks for replying to my post.
JoeMcA Posted on February 23rd, 2010I know you were not having a go at any individual athlete, I didn't say you did. I am just expressing my opinion that in reading your blog I felt it came across as disrespectful to those who did compete.
The Liverpool and Man City match on Sunday was very poor, as you pointed out in vulgar terms. Does that mean the Premier League is not important anymore?
From my point of view it just isnt worth anything like it did in years gone by and I stick to that, if it is then can you tell me why the names above didnt turn up....exactly, because its not high on their list, hence it's not worth what it was.
simx Posted on February 23rd, 2010Secondly the race it self was shit, Livepool vs Man City was shit on Sunday....that doesnt mean I am saying Gerrard is rubbish but that day the game was crap.
I cant remember having a go at individual runners on the weekend, I have since spoke to Haines who hasnt taken, or dont think he has taken offense to what I said.
I have never won this title, although not sure how that makes your point about it being worth more these days....if anything it just makes my point as I havnt run this race for about 10 years.
I have to say I think the following comment
Joe McA Posted on February 22nd, 2010"The title just doesn't seem to be worth anything anymore from my point of view"
is a little disrespecting to those that ran the race. The guys at the front are good runners who all wanted to win it I am sure. I know you said Hainsey ran well at the start of your blog, but give these guys a bit of respect.
How many times have you won this title?
Dan Stevens...where have you been? good to hear from you. back running at all? yeah maybe one day they will find time to look at the rules and think about improving standards.
simx Posted on February 22nd, 2010??? - Wish I had broken my flippin leg! hehe. I tore my plantar faciitis (spelling?) and then as I thought it would go I ran/raced on it till I couldnt walk as I starting to get some form. So from August till November I made it pretty bad.....in short it might take some time to heel. Alex Haines (who emailed me toady with some help) has had experience with it along with Si Lawson so it is common place to take a fair amount of time to heal.
Simx
what exactly have you done injury wise?if you broke youre leg you would be back running quicker than that?
??? Posted on February 22nd, 2010agree
Mate I totally agree on that stupid rule about English athletes not competing in Welsh champs. I took it up with Welsh athletics last year and they just palmed me off with some shit excuse. It should be about raising the standard not excluding people.
Dan Stevens Posted on February 22nd, 2010