IM GOING TO BUY SPIKES (Cumbernauld xc relays)

The title of this post will become apparent later.
Today we had 11 harriers running at Cumbernauld in the National XC Relays.

The course wasn't looking too wet when I arrived to collect the numbers but the first race was just starting. The course did cut up a bit as the day went on but ive seen it a lot worse.
The heavy downpour just before the Ladies started didn't help.
First we had the Ladies unfortunately only 3 and we need 4 for a complete team.
On 1st leg duty was Kirsty Wilson who had to run fast as she was working at 4pm.

Off she went with the Calvary charge that you get on 1st legs flying round the course in 17.43 and in 48th place. Next up was Karen Allan who looked to be coasting at times but im sure she was working very hard as she finished in 17.11 bringing the team up to 38th. Next up was Lorraine Buchanan only 6 days after York Marathon and legs still a bit heavy running a little slower than last year but that's was to be expected finishing in 20.32 and putting the team in 48th after 3 legs. This was well inside the top half of the field. Well done girls.

Onto the men and we had 3 teams, a M50 (3legs) a senior team (4) and a single runner.
On first leg duty was Jim Holmes M50, Mark Saez Senior and Russell Couper solo.

Handshakes and best wishes exchanged we were lined up and away on the calvary charge. Mark pulled away very quickly but Jim was not that far away as we went round the lower field then up the big hill at which point I found my legs were quite heavy and I had to work really hard up it. On the top part we were running into a very strong wind which was real tough. Round the top part and legs were going ok again through a few muddy sections and round the loop at half way. Jim was starting to put a bit more distance between us and Mark had long gone. Again we were running into a very strong wind until we made the turn at the top of the course again. Got to the big downhill and pushed hard to it to get maximum advantage before the last climb. Think I pushed a bit too hard as there is a wee dip just after the top and lost my footing and was going down. Maybe I should get a job as a stuntman as I went into a roll which fully protected me and after about 3 full rolls I was able to pick myself up and carry on unhurt. If anyone remembers the Jurgen Klinsman roll from many years ago im sure it was a good remake. Really struggled on the last climb but I always do and round to the finish. 20.02 which was 36secs down on last year but still a good run. Mark had ran really well finishing in 15.31 with Jim in 17.57.

Leg 2 runners away Callum Wright for the senior team and making his xc debut in shiny new spikes ( they didn't stay clean for long). We also had Geo Ferguson for the M50 team. Callum ran round as if hes been doing this for years finishing with a time of 16.29. Geo on the other hand had an incentive to push hard towards the end as Callum Hawkins was running 3rd leg and was closing fast towards the end but Geo held on to finish about 30 secs in front. Onto our 3rd legs with David Wardrope for the seniors and Alan McLellan for the M50 team. David didn't look to comfortable when running and after losing a shoe at the wests 2 weeks ago what could be going wrong today. He had taped his shoes up today to make it secure but after running into the first bit of mud his foot was slipping out of the shoe. He spent the rest of the run avoiding muddy parts but still finished in a very respectful 19.13 After finishing he declared to me hes going to buy spikes for the cross countries. Alan on the other hand had a great run. After not being able to take the start line of the Aviemore half 2 weeks ago the training he had put in paid dividends today. Flying round the course in 16.35.

Onto our 4th leg runner for the senior team Andrew Buchanan also running 6 days after the York Marathon. Andrew just seemed to pass one runner after another all the way round but the Marathon was still in his legs finishing in 15.34 some 30 odd secs down on last year. A good day had by all as it stayed dry for most of the day. Thanks to Frances Ferguson for you support today and the cakes and cookies for afters.

All Frances' photos are in this album.