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Nov 2019
11:31am, 13 Nov 2019
68,058 posts
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Gobi
I can confirm that Coundon was a mud bath, I put a few pictures on Twitter.
My first XC race for 8 years in the joy that is DIV3 - came 16th which was a surprise, was also very surprised to see there is no split out of VETS at all.
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Nov 2019
11:31am, 13 Nov 2019
68,059 posts
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Gobi
PS. WS, I watched the Alamo start and then picked my way through the field :¬)
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Nov 2019
12:13pm, 13 Nov 2019
9,477 posts
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larkim
@WS (and picking up on Gobi's Alamo comment), Jack Daniels says the following:-
"A major way that most cross country races vary from track races is how fast the field goes out at the start. It is very common, especially in high school cross country races, that the fastest few runners all go out too fast. They often end up slowing down a fair amount because of their too-fast start, but they still win because everyone else also went out too fast to stay with the pack. So, the winner went out too fast but still wins and therefore decides that going out fast is the best way to win a race. When one of the runners who is pretty good goes out at a more reasonable pace, that runner will beat the better runners who go out too fast." He then goes on to suggest some strategies for it.
Statement of the bleeding obvious to a degree of course! And it's much more satisfying as a runner to settle into a pace for the first mile or so, and then start to really put work into picking off places, even if (like me) you end up losing a handful in the sprint to the line.
I was watching KW through to the senior women's race, I did notice that there weren't as many dark blue & purple women up towards the sharp end this year. I suppose with the small numbers racing, and the gains / losses through Uni recruitment it will be different each season.
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Nov 2019
1:03pm, 13 Nov 2019
29,659 posts
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SPR
I usually let the pack go and work my way through in XC as well. Didn't have the legs to do much working through on my course on Saturday though and was very much the nail to the hammer!
Legs have felt the benefit of that hard effort this week though.
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Nov 2019
4:02pm, 23 Nov 2019
781 posts
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Roberto
Mud bath at north east harrier league today. After the last 2 have been cancelled due to flooded car parks, was great ti get out again. Pure mud the whole way round.
Unfortunately seemed low on the top end runners, which means it's looking like I may have been promoted to the fast pack.
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Nov 2019
4:26pm, 23 Nov 2019
24,723 posts
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Wriggling Snake
The guy who was 5th past week went to the Liverpool X challenge today, 31st, that strikes me as pretty good.
After last weeks race. I talked to him for quite a while...he thinks he could have followed the runners who were 3rd and 4th earlier and actually make up a place or two. At no time did he say he should have hared off early...so I said fair enough try to keep nearer to the leaders if you feel you can. I reckon he is learning, only been racing properly for 18 months.
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Nov 2019
4:33pm, 23 Nov 2019
24,724 posts
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Wriggling Snake
Alamo indeed. Maybe light brigade too.
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Nov 2019
1:06pm, 24 Nov 2019
9,551 posts
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larkim
My eldest son runs in the NEHL and said yesterday was muddier that Boggart Hole Clough, which will put it in context for the MACCL regulars! He loved it!!
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Nov 2019
1:23pm, 24 Nov 2019
782 posts
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Roberto
I loved it too. It's what I always picture xc being. Despite being a faster runner this year, my time was nearly 4 minutes slower this year. And only 3/4 runners ran quicker than my last years time (I placed about 100th last year) which shows how difficult the conditions were.
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Nov 2019
1:28pm, 24 Nov 2019
783 posts
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Roberto
Larkim, is your son chris? Came 2nd yesterday? Think I may have actually met you at frodsham downhill run a few years ago, as he had won and I'd been 2nd.
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