Plumstead Runners Cross Country Handicap Race

The last few weeks for me, running-wise, have been hard. I've been running with Plumstead Runners since January and almost all of the runs have been on the road, which I'm used to. In recent weeks, we've gone off road and this is a whole different kettle of fish. Uneven ground, tree roots, mud, you name it, you need to adapt your running style and stride pattern to suit the terrain and I've found it terribly difficult...and I've picked up a couple of niggling injuries as a result.

Anyhow, I gave the Plum's Cross Country Handicap everything I had. I'd done a quick reconnaissance run around what I thought was the course on Sunday evening but (i) I missed off half of the first lap and (ii) took the wrong turn at the top of the first lap so I had no advantage. It was good that when I started, I could see a few bodies in front of me and thats always encouraging. I'd passed a few people by the top of the first lap and caught the girls (Mary, Julie and Charlotte) half way down the hill on the other side of the lap. Drove on and caught and passed a few others.

I ended up finishing third overall. Was absolutely chuffed to bits with that. My average pace of 9:50ish min/mile doesnt compare to what I would be running on the road. I wish I had the confidence to open my legs up a bit more on the rough terrain. I hope I can get a bit quicker with some practice.

Official results and race report from the Plum's website below...(click to expand!)

Welling Way Interval Set

24hrs before the Plums Cross Country Handicap so was a restricted interval set tonight keeping lots in the tank for tomorrow evening.

Effort towards Falconwood on the up slope. Recovery on the decent to Welling.

A good session but could feel a twinge in my left knee...

Hill Reps (Shooters x 12)

After a very flat L2A2B, thought it was about time I started to up the climbing. Was very short of time tonight so thought what better way to kill two birds with one stone by doing some hill reps. The one advantage I've got is that Shooters Hill is literally on my doorstep. So after a very short and quick warm up down Welling Way and back (because I forgot to put on my HR monitor), I done 12 reps of Shooters Hill without stopping. 6 London-bound and 6 returning Welling-bound. Was an excellent work out. Its all about keeping some energy in the tanks and not going out too fast. If I was only going over the hill once, I would have given it some more beans but no need for this exercise.

2,250ft in 16 miles. Not quite replicating a mountain climb because you've got the 2 min descent either side of the hill before you come back up again but it'll do nicely for a Monday evening.

Interesting to compare my average HR of this session against a similar session last year...

HR significantly lower this year compared to last, especially given the data from last year would have been lower due to the cool down included at the end of the ride out to Blackfen and back. Clearly the hard work over the last 6-9 months is paying off handsomely now.