The XC thread

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Autumnleaves Jan 2018 5:21pm, 6 Jan 2018 11,677 posts	Autumnleaves I was definitely below par at the Merseysides this afternoon - but given that quite pleased with how I ran. In awe of the winners - I just can't conceive how they keep that pace up over all the mud
SPR Jan 2018 5:34pm, 6 Jan 2018 25,434 posts	SPR Not fit to run it but watched at Warley Woods. Interesting course, and AI believe the D1 men are running the same course next week.
larkim Jan 2018 5:58pm, 6 Jan 2018 3,654 posts	larkim 7 miles on a tough course at Delamere in Cheshire today, but glad I did it. Agree with the comments about the leaders, their pace is just inconceivable to me! Good day for our small club with a senior county vest earned, plus three younger ones including my eldest in the U20s, bettering expectations.
Autumnleaves Jan 2018 6:15pm, 6 Jan 2018 11,680 posts	Autumnleaves I wish I could have done Cheshire larkim - some of our club were there but I'm not eligible
larkim Jan 2018 7:03pm, 6 Jan 2018 3,655 posts	larkim I had family in the first race so was there for the duration from arriving at 10:30 to leaving at about 4pm (though not as long as the volunteers). Good job it was decent weather, and it was a great venue for spectating
clare1976 Jan 2018 10:17pm, 6 Jan 2018 3,960 posts	clare1976 I enjoyed Warley Woods Warwickshire county champs today - I'm way off the pace and fitness than when we last ran there 2 years ago but I still enjoyed it and did the best I could for where I'm at. I can't believe the pace the men we watched were running at!!
Gritts! Jan 2018 9:36pm, 9 Jan 2018 1,812 posts	Gritts! I was at Great Notley for the Essex champs
larkim Jan 2018 9:01am, 10 Jan 2018 3,668 posts	larkim Debate and petition currently ongoing about equalising distances for male and female competitions around XC, focussed on the fact that the Southern XC champs are 15k for male and 8k for female (IAAF now have harmonised 10k for both, so do Scotland, but most other UK champs seem to go for 12k male / 8k female split). Personally I'd harmonise both using the IAAF approach on principle, but there does seem to be a lot of passion (mainly male, and mainly old timers though) behind sticking with the long champs options for the Southerns, and maintain the differential because reducing it for men would reduce its appeal, but extending it for women would also reduce its appeal. Seems to me that that results in entrenched inequality which is just wrong in principle and sends the wrong message to young athletes. But am I being over-principled?
Uyuni Jan 2018 9:14am, 10 Jan 2018 1,234 posts	Uyuni Torn on this one lark. I’m no fan of equality for equalities sake, especially as in this case it might end up reducing female participation. Saying that 15k (thank god I don’t live in the south!) is a bloody long way and 12 at the National always seems a bit unnecessary. I’m sure the extra 2k has no impact on the finishing order but just keeps everyone, runners and marshals out there for longer and it seems a bit like old time macho posturing. I’d be fine with reducing the mens to 10k, as per international champs and then asking what the (silent?) majority of women would like – I suspect many of those not at the sharp end are happy as it is.
Autumnleaves Jan 2018 9:18am, 10 Jan 2018 11,704 posts	Autumnleaves Interesting - our League races are equal in length (around 8k) and run at the same time, so the Champs feels odd to me. Personally I wouldn't mind if the Champs race was a little longer for women as it seems right that it should be challenging?