Another up and down fortnight with a couple of good runs at Sherdley Park in the Manchester XC League last weekend and yesterday in the North Staff XC League at Stafford Common but with injury from the track in the middle!On a warm bright day Sherdley Park was uncharacteristically firm and dry underfoot which led to a much quicker run there than normal. Over six miles (three laps) with constant climb and descent there is little or no time to recovery. Although I was last Harrier in (first time for a while) I did hold off Jack my closest adversary for a second successive race.
Following a track session on Tuesday it was doubtful that I would be racing yesterday at Stafford Common. After the usual two mile warm up and drills coach Sue decided to drop in something new in the terms of plyometrics, namely leg hops. A series of twelve on each leg put my lower back into spasm and after only one 800 metre rep I retired upstairs to the pavilion with the words "I suppose you can't teach an old dog new tricks" ringing in my ears from Sue! where fortunately the club physio was in residence! However some quick work from the physio & more stretching over the next few days and I was ready to get back into action at Stafford.
The photo shows Stafford Common at its most interesting! Four laps (total seven miles) of clumpy grass, cow pats and a few undulating fields is as good as it gets. With the thoughts of the injury at the back of my mind I went off steadily for a change and ran probably my best xc race of the season to date to come home as a scorer for the team in 47.11.Weekly mileage 24. Annual mileage 1148. Races 26.
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