The Nationals

Race Reports

Hello fellow Croft runners. I hope you are all well and in training ready for the summer league. I have been asked to write an account of the National Cross country championships held on 27th Feb, sorry for my delay in writing this but after doing the race I had an 80 hour week to work!
But despite my tough medical rota, I had one of my best ever races. I came 60th female out of a field of 739, far beyond my expectations. Being in that size of field is a whole other dimension to racing compared to league races. I do the Metropolitan League for my club (Woodford Green) which has about 200 women per race. I have been having a good season, my progress being demonstrated in my position in the Met League, the first race of the season I came 23rd and then the last race of the league I finished in 4th place. It has been a tough winter of training around my hours but if you put in the hard work early on you will feel the rewards.
Going into the Nationals I knew I was fit but a lot can go wrong in that sort race. There was just 15 seconds from me making the top 50. With a field that size I knew I had to get a good start, and looking back at my garmin splits after the race, I did the first mile in 5min 46secs, which got me into the top 100, then through the race I had to stay focused and work through the field. The course was quite technical with rolling hills and thick mud in places but I had a strong finish and managed to come 60th. The course was just over 5 miles long, not as challenging as some of the Herefordshire league races but the pace set by the front of the field made it feel so much worse. I didn’t feel comfortable during the race (probably the effect of the pace of the first mile!) but I was so pleased with my performance. And I feel like there is more to come…! I miss running in the light blue colours of Croft and whenever I am home I will come and run with you.

2 thoughts on “The Nationals

  1. Brilliant running Zan – you’re a star. Working 80 hours a week ! Eeh bah gum when we were your age we would do that in a day. Big support to the junior doctors.

  2. Great run Suzanne, we miss you. But you have me worried, I thought I was the only Garmin nerd. You are young enough to kick the habit, try before it’s too late. PS my new Garmin does bounce, cadence, ground contact time …

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