NHRR XCL 27/11/11

Squirrels still flying high






















Team NHRR

Men came 1st, Ladies 2nd and we were 1st Overall. This also leaves us replicating these positions on the cumulative tables after 3 races. On the Overall table (see above) we are now 3 match-points clear plus a very healthy 'goal difference' (place-points) advantage.

Team Statto

I was very pleased to finish 39th man in a large field, compared to 49th only 2 weeks ago. There wasn't a huge time-span covering the next 10 runners ahead, so with improving fitness, I hope further gains can be realised over the final 2 races.

NHRR XCL 27/11/11 - Preview

Wot, no Greenway?!

Would you believe it? A large section of our traditional route has been sand-and-gravelled Greenway-stylee and I for one was beside myself with glee at the prospect of long stretches of semi on-road running in a XC race! Alas, the dream is dead, and the opening and closing sections of the course have been re-routed to by-pass all that lovely new running surface. At least the formerly heavily rutted and muddy section just past the scout hut (now resplendent with rubble in-fill) remains, which means no more fighting to get on the 6-inch wide racing line up against the hedge!

Click on image to enlarge



As you will see from this lovingly prepared map above, the course has not changed that much, with the start/finish simply perpendicularly adjusted to point along Wymondley Road rather than down the hill towards Willian Road. This event has been snowed-off for the last 2 years, so I am actually quite looking forward to it - well as much as I am capable of looking forward to a XC race anyway!

To further enhance your unbridled anticipation, here is the new course elevation profile. Approx distance = 4.6 miles.

Seventeen Come Sunday

As I strolled out one November morning, One November morning so early...

What a lovely morning today! Set off in the mist and finished in the sunshine. Intended to do about 13M, but ended up doing over 17M as I was enjoying it so much. Even better, I managed it at 7:10 mile-pace without working too hard at any point. Average HR only 137 bpm (marathon effort circa 150-155 for comparsion).

Fartlek Session 15/11/11

A small gift for Sibbo...
The main reps are not as fast as they look (note elevation change in metres on right) and the 3min intervals are not as slow as they look for the same reason.

Shuttleworth XCL

Squirrels at top of tree again!

Another dominant performance from both the gents and the ladies saw us romp to overall victory in race 2. to follow up the same outcome in race 1. After 2 races we now top both the Men's and Overall tables and are 2nd in the Ladies' table. Full details can be found here.

Here is yours truly, clearly in a confused trance, wondering why there are so many steep hills and no tarmac.

I thought I ran a much better race than at Wellingborough (51st) and was convinced this would be rewarded with a much higher placing this time, so 49th was a bit deflating. However, some statistical digging improved my mood (a bit). Firsly, there were 314 chaps running vs only 277 last time. Secondly, of those runners who finished near me last time (and who also took part in race 2.) I finshed ahead of 5 and behind only 1 of them. So there you go, a significant improvment after all!

Training is still going well and I think a 'step-change' performance is overdue. Watch this space!

Biggleswade AC XCL - Shuttleworth - Preview

A very pleasant setting for the latest 5-mile off-roader

This will be the XCL's first visit here since November 2007. No streams to cross this time, but there is a small lake to run around on each of the 2 laps where the course narrows considerably. This section of the course also constitutes most of the flattish section of each lap which can be seen on the elevation profile below. Looking at the course map on the XCL site, it looks like the route is pretty much unchanged from the one used in 2007.





Click on image to enlarge