My first race in the Gloucestershire League was Cross Country Stroud. Having previously run at Cross Country Bath but never got there early enough to support the young athletes I coach before.
Distances for Cross Country Stroud
The distance run for Cross Country Stroud depends on the group:
- For under 12s this was the start, small lap and finish. Totalling 1.8km. Less than a junior parkrun.
- Under 14s complete 3.2km – this is just short of 2 miles. Consisting of the start, one large lap and finish 2. Now from doing the course I know that actually what this means is the introduction of the hills!
- With the under 16s completing 5.2km. A little over a parkrun. Start, 2 large laps and finish 1.
- Now my group is a complicated mix. You have senior women over 35, men over 65+ and men and women under 18. But depending on their school year this meant that some were as young as 15 years old.
- Our distance was 6.4km (so just shy of 4 miles). It was the start, small lap, 2 large laps and the finish.
- Finally, the only single sex category of men 35-60 did 9km (over 5 1/2 miles). Start, small, 3 large and finish 2.
Parking and Facilities for Cross Country Stroud
- We arrived by around 10:10 and already needed to park on the grass. Someone was directing everyone – as it is a National Trust site, therefore not everyone was visiting for cross country.
- We paid £4 for the entirety of our stay. Obviously NT members were free.
- There were two toilets inside the cafe, another two out and three portaloos. Needless to say there were always queues.
- Clubs all took their own tents and there was even a table and bench.
- As mentioned there is a cafe but we also took our own packed lunch.
Supporting and Understanding
The most overwhelming thing for me is not understanding the course. No matter how it’s explained or looking at maps. Unlike parkrun I’m less of a chance that I can just follow someone.
Watching the others meant I did get a bit better awareness. The finish could be seen from the start. This is a big deal for me that if I haven’t seen the finish I don’t like it.
Also my husband noticed that it’s a nice downhill finish.
The second race meant that I had an awareness of where a hill was. Also some children had gone the wrong side of a pole.
My Experience at Cross Country Stroud
Time seemed to fly by so quickly. Helped in part by the queue for the toilets. I had meant to actually do a warm up but it was soon time for club photos and off to the start.
The guy starting was quite firm and told the slow runners to get to the back. One of our group had only just arrived due to the traffic and I so I found her at the back to start with. She had done it previously so had an idea of the course. However it was slightly changed. Sticking with her I tried to help her get her breathing under control.
We had one woman behind us who had at that time no intention of passing us. On the small loop another lady came along who was running late and passed us. She went on to win her age category VW55.
Going Ahead
After a while both the ladies I was running with needed to walk. Stopping to walk with them the lady from my club said she would be fine and to go on.
At that time I was in 101st position (out of 106). However my Cross Country Stroud finish position ending up being 93rd in a time of 40:06..
Some people I overtook straight away. Although I was anxious that I’d done it too quickly. As it was there were lots of people walking on the course. Especially on the big hill.
Pretty sure that I didn’t let anyone get in front of me. Other than those lapping me of course.
Not Knowing Where to Go
Sure enough the big gap came and I had no-one to follow. Luckily it was a repeat of a loop and well marshalled and sign posted. The only time I was a little bit confused I think I spotted a bit of tape in the distance.
Choice of Shoes
My real problem was the hard rocky uphill as I had my barefoot trail shoes on. This just gave me more of an excuse to walk it. Not sure how spikes fare on this!
Finishing
Soon it was the last time up this hill and I could see my youngest son’s old form tutor directing people to the finish. Although he didn’t spot me! There was a lady ahead so I could see which way to go but she was too far away to catch up with.
Despite this, and it makes no difference, I did my best to run in as fast as I had left in me towards the finish line. Not before dropping to the ground.
It was still rather hot and luckily I had pinned my number up my skort as took my vest off. A man checked what my number was. Then I dropped to the ground!
Visit Mum of Three World who has also taken part and has posts on her Cross Country