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Jan 2016
12:16pm, 10 Jan 2016
7,719 posts
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Autumnleaves
My x-c performances are woeful compared to my road times - but I see it as 'good for me' and I do enjoy it (mostly) - I've found switching to the mudclaws has been better than spikes - not just grip but easier on my ankles and calf muscles too.
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Jan 2016
2:59pm, 10 Jan 2016
3,198 posts
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ndellar
How people perform differently is interesting - I see XC as a means of getting closer / beating those who are ahead of me on roads over short distances, I think most of that is probably experience and confidence having run in the 2 XC leagues and various championship races for 8 years
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Jan 2016
3:10pm, 10 Jan 2016
7,721 posts
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Autumnleaves
I just don't seem to be able to run 'fast' over the terrain!
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Jan 2016
1:07pm, 11 Jan 2016
147 posts
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Alun
@oi you, "Didn't feel the love today."
You should have gone to Minnis bay yesterday (Sunday), several miles of waterlogged paths on the way out followed by several miles of firmer trail punctuated by 5 ditches shorts deep with black muddy water, all finished off with narrow muddy paths, narrow paths over 3 large humps and a sprint to the funnel off the last one.
Loads of love there 
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Jan 2016
1:38pm, 11 Jan 2016
66 posts
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legend777
Odd XC race I did yesterday. A West Glamorgan League fixture which is 5.6 miles all on TARMAC!
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Jan 2016
1:47pm, 11 Jan 2016
3,008 posts
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Curly45
AL there are a few things about xc:
It breaks up rhythm so you wont feel fast, learning to run fast downhill will help massively. Lose all sense of sanity and just let go, you will then carry some pace back onto the flat.
Uphill shorten the stride and keep the hips straight. Try not to hunch and swing the arms.
Suitable footwear and practice can make a massive difference, but it is never easy. You just get faster. It still hurts as much
25th place for me at Surrey County Champs yesterday, versus a previous best of 40th last year. Team won silver medals too. Very pleased indeed. A great team day all round. Some fab performances to back up a good day at Middlesex for clubmates on Saturday!
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Jan 2016
2:04pm, 11 Jan 2016
314 posts
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oi you
Hi Alun, you're probably right, but I think the Fitness League is full at the moment, so Folkestone can't sign up. Several clubmates do run it as 2nd claim for other clubs.
I don't really mind the conditions - I've changed my pic to one taken at Sunderland at the Nationals a few years ago. I looked happy enough there, and that was a tough old day out!
Will I do the Southern's at Parliament Hill is my question to myself.
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Jan 2016
2:19pm, 11 Jan 2016
7,724 posts
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Autumnleaves
Thanks Curly I need to get better at the uphill bit - I am actually quite fast downhill but my leg strength seems to evaporate uphill! It's good to have something to really work at though as I think I could still improve here - and I do enjoy the mud actually!
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Jan 2016
11:25pm, 11 Jan 2016
148 posts
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Alun
Hi oi you, after many years of thinking about doing it I'm finally going to have a bash at the Southern Counties this year, my 12 year old wants one of their hoodies so he's doing it too.
I'm pretty sure that I ran there at least once in the early 80s if it's the same venue that Highgate Harriers hosted races at.
I'll not be troubling the front runners unless I get in their way as they lap me ;-).
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Feb 2016
10:02am, 1 Feb 2016
317 posts
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oi you
Well, I did run the Southern's. Not one of my smartest decisions. 1023rd of 1026 and around 15 to 20 minutes slower than I was hoping.
I don't think conditions were any worse than previous years,but by the 3rd lap I just couldn't run through the deepest stuff and had to walk. I even came to a complete halt at one point.
It took 3 chunks of fruitcake to bring me round afterwards 😀
Did you enjoy it Alun?
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