I haven't managed to get to any of the Hampshire league matches this season, so I was looking forward to putting my spikes on and getting a bit muddy.
Except that it wasn't muddy at all. A combination of a dry fortnight and a hard frost meant that the going was good to firm. I'm so conditioned to think XC = spikes that I really hadn't stopped to think about this, and I was a bit nervous that I was going to be clacking along on the shaded parts where the sun hadn't reached.
It really was chilly. I watched some of the LRR ladies finish, warmed up as best as I could and disrobed at the last possible moment.
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| The ladies, basking in the heat |
It wasn't a huge field of chaps - a mere 147 of us. We set off and the pace was a bit frenetic. I focused on being sensible while my peers rushed ahead. Aye aye, I thought, we'll see.
And after the first km I started overtaking people and I began to enjoy myself. Particularly once I had crossed the frosty zone in my spikes with no drama. One lap down, three to go and I inched my way through the field. About halfway through I overtook Graham Evans as he gasped 'I think I set off a bit fast'.
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| This is the nearest I ever get to a race smile |
Into the fourth lap I spotted my arch-rival Andy Parkinson ahead of me. Remembering how he had snuck up on me at Victory 5, my initial plan was to hide behind him, but after a short while I was feeling confident about about overtaking him. 'We meet again, Mr Bond', I said as I passed him. 'I've been expecting you' he replied. I was thus highly motivated to keep the pressure up and open up some space.
With 100m to go, I felt someone on my shoulder. Eek. But it wasn't Parky, it was an Eastleigh youngster. All clear behind me. I finished in 82nd place and third M55. That'll do. Very happy with my pacing and a thoroughly fun afternoon.
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| In the end I beat Parky by 9 seconds |
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| The LRR chaps |
