The first XC race of the season kicked off on Sunday and I was hoping for something more that usual as I'd been trying to build up my strength through doing more core work and the HIIT hills sessions on my easy runs. There's no coincidence that Clarkes is usually the happiest of hunting grounds for me on XC because it’s run on a very well draining sand stone park that no matter how wet it is always seems to stay firm in in the majority of the course.

In the past two years I've finished 13th and 14th and had planned to hit the first mile hard and see how I felt. I felt fine in the warm up and joined the bumper crowd for the cavalry charge at the start but felt a bit out of puff so eased a bit. I was in and around the usual suspects but no real idea of where I was in the field but after about 20 mins I was feeling really fresh. I must have been day dreaming though because Neil Kelly who I always like to be in and around on the XC was way ahead of me! On the last big loop I started to push on and managed to pick a few runners off but by now I was well off Neil and finished in 29th.

Neil was 15th which was a great run but I couldn't believe how far back I was, I actually thought I'd had a good run and didn't feel too knackered so was pretty disappointed to be so far down. Admittedly the field was a lot stronger than usual and I didn't recognise half the names in front of me but it was a schoolboy error not to have a game plan.

I done 5 miles after with Martin who was runner up to James Toohey, I felt fresh while he was suffering. So maybe the hills etc. have paid off, I just need to concentrate more!