I'm not sure how to start this blog post but it seems reasonable to talk about my night before preparations. On Friday night, I had already enjoyed my day off and making the most of resting my legs. Of course my dinner was the usual large bowl of carbonara followed by a glass of strawberry milk and banana, whilst the rest of my family were eating magnum ice creams. Although once I had finished all of my food, I was way too full to even think about an ice cream. After walking the course I was worried I was tired already. I had been told that the course was hilly, which I tried to just put aside in my head but when I was walking the course, I soon realised that I was going to have to face them head on and give them my best shot. This time the course was 4km, 400m longer than last time, but when I was walking the course it felt a whole lot longer... this was probably due to how much it went up and down. The course finished with a very short and sharp hill which I knew I needed to save some energy for, otherwise I wouldn't make it up it very quickly or at all. In the warm up I felt sluggish and was worried about how I would race with my legs feeling like this. Thankful when I put my spikes on, it seemed to give my legs a new lease of life, or maybe it was just my clif bar kicking in. The race started off quick but my legs just didn't feel ready for that yet, so I let myself settle into it and take each hill as it comes and to just concentrate on my own race. At the top of every hill, there was always a down hill. I know this might be stating the obvious, but you knew when you reached the top because you would suddenly go downhill, instead of flat... if you get where I am coming from. I realised that on the down hills, I was just going to have to go for it, because I felt I couldn't really attack on the up hills. This came with the problem of trying to control both my legs and arms, and as you can see from the photos, I didn't do a very good job at that... even though I was trying extra hard to maintain my form. The last 400m was the hardest 400m I've ever run, I was side by side with someone and after last week I decided that I was going to win the sprint finish this time, and I am pleased to say I did. However I did have to pay for it, because afterwards I was so out of breath, that I couldn't speak for the next 4 minutes. Once I had recovered, of course there was time for some group photos, and this one above of Clara and I, I absolutely love... perhaps its because our yellow sheets of paper match her shorts ;). I am really keen to do the next Kent XC League, however there is a school fixture which may take priority over it. Overall I am really pleased with 9th in this race as two weeks ago I was 13th, so it is nice to see an improvement! I am back to school tonight, which will be a bit of a shock to the system, after two weeks off. I have the National XC Relays to look forward to next weekend. I am so excited for them, as I haven't done them before! I hope you have all had a nice weekend.
G x
3 Comments
Emma
10/30/2016 10:38:05 am
I love this blog post! I'm also doing the National xc relays next week - maybe I'll see you there! X
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1/25/2019 11:13:53 pm
In this festival of the race for the students of the school have special kind of the protein and diet for the winning this race. Students are running very fast in this race as by the reputation of the class and their coach.
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2/11/2019 03:32:07 am
Summer vacations are extended for the pupils of the schools. Now, the entire use of the vicinity is solved for the persons. The building of the school is comfortable for the prospective difficulties for the students.
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HelloI'm Grace, a 18 year old runner, and fitness fanatic. Join me on my crazy journey through life, squeezing in an adventure in every second of spare time I have. Archives
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