Sunday, January 11, 2009

Polaroid XC Sat 10th Jan

Perfect conditions for the second of our three Club Cross Country races, this one round the outside of the Polaroid Industrial Estate. Setting out the course disturbed some of the local wildlife, a Heron, Rabbits and a Fox.

For an industrial estate the route is relatively scenic, starts in a field where you pick up a narrow trail through some trees to a path alongside the river Leven, the path follows the Leven round a large curve right round the back of the Polaroid factory and then cuts through an open field in front of the adjacent housing estate followed by a short hill and a run through some rougher ground with a short section of grass verge back to the start.

Race started at 10:00 am, 1 lap for the girls, 2 for the boys, each lap about 2.2 or so miles and a great turnout of 22 runners. Tried for a steady run this year with a 17:11 first lap, nobody pushing from behind and drifted to a slower second lap of 17:33. Lack of mud and sludge underfoot meant my time was close to my PB maybe a wee bit more would have beaten it, pleased with what was a more controlled effort than usual and felt fine after.

With the lack of mud it was only 2 or 3 trees and ditches to jump and the wooden stairs to provide some disruption to your pace.

Tea & biscuits after and then home just before the heavens opened for the rest of the weekend.

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