There’s a Thai phrase ‘same same, but different’ that summed up the conditions at Knowsley which was hosting the Northern XC Championships for the 2nd year running. 2013 was covered with snow, and the course was slog through ice cold muddy water (Dave Norman got frost bite!). This year by the time the second of three laps started it was even worse, ankle deep sticky treacle mud for 80% of the route.

Following Helsby I was still beat up, my calf’s were super sore but towards the end of the week I was feeling better. I still ran a few doubles and managed to eek out a 4 mile session on Tuesday but very much off pace at the track. Due to a mix up with UKA I wasn’t registered to run but mailed them to explain the situation and left me hanging until Friday night to confirm I was able to run.

I’d convinced myself I wasn’t doing it and too be honest I didn’t really care because I knew the conditions were not going to be easy! I had scheduled a 8 mile tempo run and was looking forward to this when Captain Dale called me to confirm I was now running the XC.

I made an error with my pre-race meal and warm and started the race knowing I was probably going to stop for a dump. I got going a bit slower than I wanted but quickly got into my stride and felt great. However, near the end of the second lap my guts were going kookoo kaakaa and I had to leave the course for a nature stop. I couldn’t get going after that, my calfs were like clenched fists and I’d lost at least 3 mins.

I limped around the last lap and as anyone who’s ran in these type of conditions knows, if you’re struggling it’s even harder to pull your feet out of the mud! I seriously considered pulling out as I was worried I’d injure myself but I hung on and tried to pick the best route on the edge of the route to avoid the real heavy mud. I finished in just under 57 mins, lungs and heart were fine but the legs were shot!

I was really pleased I finished because the Penny Lane team ended up 28th overall which was the top half of the order and we beat all our fellow Sunday League teams thanks to great runs from Martin, Neil Bullock, Lawrence, Mitch, Ian Russell and Simo. The following day I ran 18 miles, mostly with the Penny Lane gang in terrible weather. I doubt I could have done than type of mileage with them! The legs weren’t too bad, only one section of the run which was an uphill slog into the wind and rain took its toll. I had a few niggles after the long run and my knee is still sore now but no wonder!