I’ve always considered myself a fair-weather runner. As a rule, I don’t do hills or mud, I hate being cold and can convince myself quite easily to stay inside if there’s a chance of drizzle. So naturally I thought it was about time I gave cross country a try. A sport well known for being hilly, muddy, cold and wet. Having joined the club in May this year, it was only right that my inaugural Cross Country race was at Liddiard, the only Cross Country fixture hosted by QPH.
I didn’t know much about what I was getting myself into. I took myself on a walking recce of the course the day before to assess how muddy and hilly it really was going to be, and to make sure I didn’t take a wrong turn and get lost once I’d started running. Satisfied that I could handle it, I stopped trying to remember all the excuses I’d used to get out of P.E. fifteen years ago and went home to indulge myself in a lot of pasta to gear myself up to run the next day.
Saturday rolled around and after the 2:15pm race start afforded me a nice lie in, I got hooped up and made my way to the diligently organised and sign posted start (shout out to all the volunteers). Knowing I’d need spikes, I’d bought myself a second-hand pair from Vinted. I was so pleased with myself for managing to stay on brand snagging myself a red and white pair of shoes, that it wasn’t until the day of the race when the discussion of spike length started in the WhatsApp group it even occurred to me that:
Spikes come in different lengths, and
I might not have bought the right shoes...
It turns out, I hadn’t - I’d bought track spikes. By this point I was balancing in a muddy field on one foot with 15 minutes until the gun went off, so I had to make do and hope they’d stay on (I’ve heard the horror stories and seen the pictures of Sam carrying around one shoe…)
I’m pleased to report I crossed the finish line with both shoes still attached. I do feel I got off lightly given the unusually warm and dry October we’ve had and the “undulating grass land” of Fryent Country Park. I’m going to have to show up at a few more start lines over the season so I can tick that ‘jumping through pools of mud’ box and prepare myself for those Parliament Hill inclines.
I was pretty apprehensive going into this race. When I think of cross-country, I imagine packs of super-speedy runners I couldn’t dream of keeping up with. But I didn’t need to be. Once I started, I found my own pace across the bumpy, muddy terrain. The amazing support from the club at every corner pushed me up those sneaky hills.
I had so much fun that I didn’t take any notice of how long it took me or what my official finishing position was. My earlier apprehension was completely misplaced, and there’s something quite fun and freeing about dodging tree roots and stomping through mud. The camaraderie, team spirit and support from everyone there is enough to make any Hoopster feel like a local celebrity. The spread of delicious homemade cakes, tea, and barista-made lattes at the finish line is also an excellent motivator.
Liddiard will now always have a special place with me as my first cross country race and I’m already looking forward to seeing where the rest of the season takes us. If anyone is nervous about cross country, I would tell them not to be. Give it a go and get your hands (feet) dirty…. (excuse the pun).
