Hants XC league: Reading

This was race number two of a rather bonkers weekend.

I had run Southampton parkrun in the morning in a rather lacklustre 18:50, having found it difficult to get going on a cold morning.  Back home, we made a late decision to bomb up to Reading for the cross-country.  When we turned, Becky from RRR was there, having already done her race.

I wanted to get a top 100 position.  We set off around the park.  In my mind it was a huge playing field but it was actually quite undulating, and the hill in the middle was really severe.  I was wearing fell shoes - my spikes need a bit of glue - but they weren't ideal and I reckon I lost several seconds in the slippery patches.

I felt I got the pacing about right, and I pushed hard all the way round.  In the final stage I knew someone was closing in on me.  The lovely Mrs S and Becky were yelling as I pushed hard for the finish, but Patrick Stumpf from Lordshill sprinted past me just ahead of the line.

80th place - I was very happy with that.  Here are my stats.