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Nov 2014
9:23pm, 8 Nov 2014
414 posts
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ChrisMc
Anyone got the distance for the mens at Leamington ? I didnt bother running with a watch, its a bit pointless for xc.
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Nov 2014
11:29am, 9 Nov 2014
19,712 posts
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SPR
Just log it as 10k.
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Nov 2014
11:33am, 9 Nov 2014
19,713 posts
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SPR
Ndeller - Yeah, that is pretty long tbf.
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Nov 2014
3:49pm, 9 Nov 2014
1,824 posts
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Mave
Just for back from Drewton Woods. Brilliant fun. Hilly, not so much. Varied from fields to woods. Lovely.
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Nov 2014
7:34pm, 9 Nov 2014
117 posts
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John Tovell
It was the first event of the season for the Thames Valley league today at Windsor. With sun and no wind, it felt balmy. Reasonable amounts of mud to keep us amused.
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Nov 2014
11:26am, 10 Nov 2014
2,930 posts
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clare1976
Well I enjoyed my first proper XC race - certainly different to my usual preferred flat tarmac! I think it's a case of embracing any mud and water and just ploughing through, which I certainly did! I didn't pace it very well - I forgot just how energy zapping XC terrain and the hills can be, so I struggled in the 2nd lap having gone out too fast, and was disappinted with people overtaking me who shouldn't have done (and who don't on the roads!) - that combined with not eating beforehand (1:30pm start) so I was pretty low on energy. Lots to learn for next time though and am looking forward to the rest of the league and hopefully getting stronger at this.
I wore my Salamon Speedcross which were great in terms of grip and felt comfy, but they do get quite heavy when mud and water logged and so am wondering about XC spikes - do people generally think they are worth bothering with? I have looked at a few online and they seem to have a few metal spikes around the forefoot section then nothing on the heels, in fact most of the soles look like they have less 'grip' than my usual trail shoes. I have found 3 options online - Adidas XCS 5, Saucony Kilkenny XC5 or Brooks Mach 16 (or 14). I could also hear when people were wearing spikes on the harder trail / gravel / path sections, they sounded quite loud and I was wondering if sections like that damage the spikes - and so unless you are guaranteed all grass / mud sections in the race, would it damage the shoes?
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Nov 2014
11:37am, 10 Nov 2014
2,410 posts
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Curly45
You do wear down the metal bits but replacements are £6-8 which I buy once a year or so. It does hurt your feet if there are long road sections, but I take this into consideration when choosing the length of spikes (you can buy various lengths). Shorter ones for long sections, longest ones for races wtih none (the nationals will be tarmac free as they cover the path with sawdust!).
Get them, they do help. 
Well done on your first outing. It does get easier!
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Nov 2014
11:43am, 10 Nov 2014
4,724 posts
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HermanBloom
Like John, I also did the first race of the Thames Valley XC league yesterday. Bad day at the office is about all I can say about it. Nice cake at the end though!
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Nov 2014
8:02pm, 10 Nov 2014
53 posts
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stilldreaming
Claire - Glad to read that you enjoyed the mudfest that is XC!! I used to run in trail shoes, but bought XC spikes last year and cannot believe the difference! I would say the main advantage is that they give you the confidence to "go for it" down hills and through really muddy sections. On Saturday (Leamington), I just ploughed through the middle of puddles etc, that others were trying to dance round. On the couple of track sections, I tried to keep on the grass at the sides as it was definitely easier to run there. I run in Adidas spikes that I bought online from Start Fitness (replaced spikes for this season - £3) and love them. I'd say look for a cheap pair of "last season's" shoes and give them a go
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Nov 2014
11:35am, 11 Nov 2014
4,994 posts
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Autumnleaves
I've got New Balance spikes - they were pretty cheap from sportsshoes.com I think - they are better than my trail shoes I find for the really muddy stuff (and dry quicker). Replacement spikes from Decathlon are pretty cheap.
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