New Decade, new update

Gonna turn over a new leaf

Trying to keep on top of the NEHL Blog, Twitter, Facebook, as well as work, and actual outdoorsy stuff, means that this blog has been neglected for some time.  So I'll start from now, and go backwards a little before heading forwards again.

Yesterday was the North East Masters (NEMAA) Cross Country Championships.  We Had a canny turn out from Jarrow, including four ladies; myself, Heather, Marsha & Alexis.  Teams are set in ten year age categories, so we didn't have a complete natural team, and so we selected Heather & Marsha to drop into the L35-44 age group - helluva drop for mountain goat Heather, but she was more than up to the job.

I have to add it was blowing a hooligan, and I do mean it - it was wild out there with 45 to 50mph winds.  at some points we were running sideways.  We set off and the fast lasses vanished off into the distance, and I set about trying to get round in a reasonable fashion.  I've had a a prolonged hamstring issue since May 2019, but the soft ground of cross country does seem to favour it better than a hard road surface.  

The first lap was mostly me trying to reel Marsha back in, it was hard work in the wind, but by the start of lap two I was hot on her heels.  We worked together for the rest of the race.  I don't think she's a real lover of xc - which I'm trying to change ;) so me shouting at her not to stop was either the boost she needed (or maybe she just finished so I'd shut up lol), but we did get round and finished strong.

I love cross country, always have, something about being out running in the wild and the mud is a bonus.

Many congratulations to Alexis - who was flying along - finishing third overall, and to Heather who retained her ladies V55 gold again. 

I haven't seen the team results yet so I don't know if they managed any medals.  I'll post a link to the results when they turn up. 

The lads had two teams out, good to see some new faces - and Michael Bunn (448), who I haven't seen racing for ages!  That club vest he wears is the first ever Jarrow vest I wore for cross country in 2005.  I was asked to take part at Chester-le-Street XC, but had no idea what to expect, I had to borrow some spikes from one of the juniors, and I had no club vest, so Michael gave me his (which he'd just ran in), it was dripping!  Got round anyways, and bought my own vest asap :D