Cross Country: It's not as scary as you think...

This Saturday saw the start of the Red Rose Cross Country series with the first race being held in Leigh. Thinking back, I don't think I've actually run any cross country since primary school circa 1995 and when the email came round asking for sign-ups I willingly put my name forward. But, I can't lie, it was purely a token gesture and I had absolutely no intention of ever actually competing in a race, because let's face it, cross country is terrifying, right?

As race day approached I continued with the pretence that I might actually run, even going as far as purchasing some new spikes (which I didn't actually think I'd ever wear). Then when my husband announced he was doing a Mountain Bike challenge that same day, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. No one to watch the kids, can't do it, oh what a shame.

That is until Friday night when he realised he had got his days muddled up and I was now in fact free on Saturday and armed with a pass out to go and race.

So after much to-ing and fro-ing and asking of opinions I decided to head over (after all I'd been promised cake). Normally a decision to race wouldn't require quite so much deliberation but I've been injured for 14 months and I'm slowly working my way back to fitness, so I'm not as fast as I would like and was really scared of finishing last.

Suddenly at a loose end, Wayne decided to race as well so we loaded the kids up and headed off. We arrived and parked up and then we saw it, the new Trawden Gazebo in red, white and black, complete with club hashtags. I'm slightly biased but it was definitely the best gazebo (TACBO?) by a mile and it already contained a fantastic assortment of cakes!

We were just in time to catch the junior races and witnessed some spectacular running from our home-grown Trawden juniors. Well done girls and boys (and all the coaches).

Then it was time for the senior Ladies race and I nervously made my way over to the starting line with nine other Trawden runners (fantastic turn out ladies) and before I knew it we were off.

Trying really hard not to get swept along with those who run much faster than me I made my way around the starting lap of the field, past the gazebo complete with our cheering squad of juniors and men and out on to the course. I tried to settle in to a steady pace despite completing my first mile faster than I'd run for a long while, then started to think about passing those in front of me (of which there were lots) and not letting those behind me past (of which there were few).

One small lap completed, I headed back into the field to be greeted by what can only be described as a wall of sound as I passed the tent then on to the big lap.

Now, I didn't actually know anything about the course, hadn't seen a map and only heard in passing talk of big laps and small laps, so imagine my surprise when we reached the end of what I thought was my second lap and was directed off the path and into a huge field.

Said field was expertly marked out with orange and white tape and was becoming increasingly muddy, bringing back many memories of childhood running. After the first part of the race being primarily trail, NOW I felt like I was doing cross country.

I continued to push myself forward, trying to encourage a lady who had stopped to walk onward, but ultimately overtaking he. I could see many other Trawden runners further on the course and was really grateful to receive lots of encouragement from them as they passed by.

I overtook a couple more ladies and then spied a Trawden vest in the distance and although she seemed a little too far away I set about catching her up. I tried to keep my pace steady and after navigating through a particularly muddy puddle I reached her.

We ran together for a bit offering encouragement and then, seeing we only had about half a mile to go, I tried to push on a bit further, conscious that my fast start had put me on track to complete faster than my last 5K time obtained in a road race a few weeks ago. So on I went, receiving encouragement (and on one occasion cheek) from various blokes out on the route, I made my way back towards the field and the finishing straight.

As soon as I turned the corner I heard them, my very own amazing Team TAC cheering squad screaming encouragement as I ran towards the line, feeling like I couldn't let them down (and nothing at all to do with the fact that Anne had launched her own pretty impressive takeover bid) I tried my best sprint finish and triumphantly crossed the line, happy enough with my time, pleased I'd survived my first cross country race, and well chuffed that I wasn't last!

Just time to get my breath back before it was time to cheer on the men-folk as they set out on their 10K version of a now very muddy course with some great results posted by Nick, Dave, Jamie, Colin, Wayne and Dave - well done all!

So that's it, first race complete and what did I learn? It was nowhere near as muddy as I thought it was going to be (although I suspect I've been lulled into a false sense of security here), there is a great atmosphere, and it's really not as scary as you think. Everything is always better when cake is involved and TAC has the best gazebo - fact!

The one thing I'll take away with me though is our team spirit, from the cheers as you passed the gazebo, the juniors stood out on the course cheering me on, the cheering squad at the finish line, the big hug from Anne as we finished, and lastly (but most important of all) the way we made sure all the runners were cheered home regardless of club or placing.