Playing in the mud PECO style

Cross Country is something I don't remember doing at school, but after 6 months of running with Hyde Park Harriers I decided to have ago at the PECO Championship.  This is a 5 round series based around Leeds.  I invested in some trail shoes and had a practise run before round 3 at Bramley Fall Park gave me my first opportunity at an event.

It was just over 5 miles so I knew I had run further but the terrain was going to be completely new.  I'd had scare stories the day before about hills and people passing out, and I did get very nervous that morning.  Due to this I could only manage a piece of toast so not the ideal preparation.  Signing on was at the pub, £3 to enter including food after - bargain.  Down near the start all the different running clubs met up.  The PECO is more for teams with the first 8 men and 5 women scoring points rather than it being timed.  Thankfully there were plenty of Hyde Park Harriers men out so where ever i finished wasn't to be a factor.

A cold and frosty morning for the 11am start, so the mud wasn't too bad.  It was a 3 lap course of which I knew there was a hill on each lap.  Some went to check it out but I thought I'd not scare myself anymore and risk changing my mind.  Soon we were off and I started towards the back, steady climb up the field into the wood where there was a couple of bottle necks where it got narrow.  Soon we came to the hill and even on the first lap I didn't run all the way up, further round a second hill came as quite a surprise.  I was enjoying taking part even though the course was tough, but I didn't enjoy lap two when I was getting lapped by the faster runners, especially in the narrow places.  It was tricky and I was already watching my foot placement, guess I'd better get quicker in future.  It was nice to be getting some encouragement from a couple of the faster Hyde Park runners as they came past and "Go Hyde Park" from people dotted around the course is very welcome. 

Final lap and I was feeling it now and I had to walk in places but the marshals kept you going.  It was a great relief to see the finish and I even managed a little sprint, well it was downhill.  In the end I finished 247th out of 254 men but it was all about the experience.  I learnt a lot from this especially about my preparation as felt quite ill at the finish but soon came round after some food.

 Round 4 saw us at Barnbow Field not far from Cross Gates, and I felt I was going into it with a better frame of mind.  Pasta the night before and porridge in the morning set me up right, plus having my fan club of Tina and Liam along this time made a big difference.  I didn't know the course other then it was to be just one lap and there was a water jump which we were to do on both the way out and on the return.

I felt my running had been going ok the past few weeks after a sports massage on my calf's.  I'd been having issues with my right calf but after a good hour spent working on both I was now running pain free.  There was a good turn out of Hyde Park Harriers again, no pressure on me to up my speed, thankfully on a very pleasant morning as we set off.  The early part of the course was a run round a large field and soon gave us a taste of what was to come, mud, mud and more mud.  The first crossing of the water jump was cleared in front of a decent crowd, all waiting for us to mess it up of cause.  Then soon we came to what I thought was the toughest part of the course, up a long hill between two fields.  The mud here was unbelievable, at times it was hard to stand never mind run and even when running it felt you weren't moving.  I had to walk but I wasn't alone but this section really took it out of you.  Finally we got on to a better surface but even then it was tricky as some one fell in front of me, thankfully without any injury.  I was to fall over twice before the finish and both times were my own fault.  Rather then just running through the worst of the mud I was trying to find a drier line, why as I was already muddy I don't know.  This lead to me, first time, slipping sideways and the second time head first over a stump, thankfully fairly dry in both places. 

Back over the water jump and the long slog back round the field and one last climb, which I must admit to partly walking until I could be seen from the finish. Finally I made it home 194th male out of 198.  What was more important was that both the mens and ladies teams had a storming day winning their divisions.  The only thing I hadn't realised was the post event comparing of muddy legs on Facebook! I'd washed mine by then, I may not have won that but I reckon I have the whitest than anyone else ha.

Finally round 5 at Boddington fields and the event organised by my running club - Hyde Park Harriers.  This gave me the chance to see a bit more what is involved in putting on an event like this.  A couple of weeks before I had the pleasure of joining a couple of the organisers for a jog round the fields as they planned the route and it was interesting to listen to what they had to look for and consider in terms of obstacles, areas that the runners had to be kept off and where people could go the wrong way.  Tina and Liam got involved a couple of days before by making a few cakes, a request that went out to all members and made for a really good selection at the finish.

The day of the run and it was an early start, first job was a bit of car park duty, trying to fit all the cars in around the old student accommodation.  It was soon time to get ready and test out the ground, very muddy near the start and finish but thankfully after a few dry days some places seemed ok as we got ready for 2 laps.  The course layout was very interesting with a few long sections with some sections with sharp turns as you zig zag your way round fields.  As always a good turn out for the club so I got asked if I would do sweeper duties, run last and let the marshals know on the second lap that they could now start to tidy up the course.  Almost the same as course closing car really on the rallies and a great excuse for me running slow. 

First lap it felt a little strange, I wouldn't have been too much further up the field but I was holding back, and even so I was still getting cheered on.  The second lap I really started to enjoy it and was able to chat to some of the runners and thank the marshals along the way.  The course was very good and I enjoyed the experience and actually helped more then if I was running for a place.  It had been good to see the work involved, and the event seemed to have been well received and the food after was excellent.  All in all the whole PECO experience has been really good, running as part of the club, wearing the vest and getting the support is something all runners should experience.  I'm never going to be fast but I have definitely found something to replace the buzz I used to get from rallying.  I can't wait to hopefully have ago at all 5 rounds next time round, now  just have to clean my shoes!!

The men finished the event 4th which should keep them in the top division and the ladies had another excellent 1st place winning their division.  Well done to all involved through out the season.

Photos thanks to Nicola Forward, Ian Wilson and Woodentops.