Brecon GL XC by James + Dick
13/02/2010 by Lou.
Thanks Gerry, some really good photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/gerryashton/sets/72157623427895746/ That’s a great one of Marianne with the mountains behind. But…you should have run!
I think everyone had an enjoyable (and tiring) day out at Brecon. Conditions were good, a bit cold, and it wasn’t particularly muddy underfoot - although I didn’t see the colour of Dick’s feet at the end 
We all got there at about 12.20, leaving loads/not very much time for the girls to get warmed up for their race. I’d guess that Maz got there with Matt a good few hours earlier so she could get in a long run beforehand to warm up! Was fantastic to see Sam back running, and Steve looking like death - but hilarious as usual (at least you’ve got a week off now! lucky child out of wedlock 
). And everybody helped put up the imaginary tent. To the race…
Unfortunately I didn’t get to see most of the women’s race because I was with child (not pregnant obviously 
) walking round and feeding Seth; but from what I did see they were all fantastic. 
I expect lovely Lou will write a more detailed and better account than myself of the women’s race! I’m not sure of placings, but Maz was first in for Chepstow and 8th overall - brilliant. She even had to have a long warm-down run - to get in the extra mileage? - That Rich Matthews is a hard task master! Next in was Lou, (17th possibly?) and hopefully very pleased. Should have worn shorts, although I do like the pink stripes down the side. Then Sam, taking it easy for the first lap , wearing ridiculous pink fluffy gloves (and giving me stick for my attire!) was next. Covered in sweat - anyone would think you’d been for a run. Sue was fourth for us, running well and running tomorrow in the Rhayader Rant - good luck. Next up was Vanessa, who said she found it tough, but did great to run considering the ‘lack of running’ last weekend. Berta was next in and completed our strong women’s line up - I’ll look forward to seeing where the team finished overall when the results come out. All the women ran amazingly well
So the men had a hard task ahead of them if they were to live up to the women… personally I started off too fast and realised this after 1/2 a lap - mainly because I was knackered. It was all downhill (metaphorically speaking!) from there for me, trying to hold on for another 2 1/2 laps. Tom Cruise I ain’t (and if you’re too lazy to work that out…mission impossible). Luckily the support from the women was fantastic. They’ve all got a good set of lungs on them. And if I inadvertently mentioned I hated anyone, what I meant was that I loved them. And Marianne still seemed to be running around. By lap two, I was just waiting to be overtaken by Matt, Mark, Steve etc… I should mention the course here, but there’s not much to say other than it’s pretty flat with a few mole hills and one embankment you run up twice. Slightly undulating you could say, with a few tight turns to slip up round. Back to the running and at the start of the last lap Matt had finally caught up with me, told me to ‘keep at it’, which I may have done for all of five yards before remembering how tired I was. Matt stormed off catching up loads of people in front of me. So I waited to be overtaken again by the next Harrier, only no one did and thankfully the finish loomed. Do a sort of sprint even though no one is there and try to not have a heart attack. I didn’t get to see Steve finish but he ran really well holding his position all the way - good pacing session for the marathon! Then Mark came in I think struggling with his knee, with a nice sprint finish, good man for not quitting, thanks Lou for getting him to keep going. John was next up with a great sprint at the end (I also think he might have done one at the beginning, but that’s neither her or there!). Then barefoot Dick running well, possibly with cold feet? Chris, who you couldn’t possibly miss with the colours he was wearing, finished with a cracking sprint overtaking three guys. And finally last but not least was Andy, who maybe even enjoyed himself a bit?! Cracking run guys. Not quite as good as the girls, but getting there… 
I know I found it tough today, so everyone who ran did fantastically well. Hopefully we can get a really strong team for Blaise next month
And from Dick:
Good running from our girls including two top twenties: Mar 8, Lou 19, Sam just behind, Sue, Vanessa and Berta (who scored at Ponty and helped give us 1st team).
Top 50 for Matt (48), then James 61, Steve 72, Skippy 114, John 143, Zola 159, Chris 172, Mr Bray 191.
And another good run from Kayley (10th ) our only junior today . She got her invitation to run in the nationals at Birmingham as have Issie and Will Leney - great honour for them and the Club. I hear that some of the seniors who ran today will also be selected.
Thanks Eric for team registration, and Syd for finish duties - a first for the Club I believe and kudos for us.
