Cross Country Training Thread

Dubgal72 wrote: »

Hey, don't want to scare the bejasus out of you :eek: The risk of injury could happen anywhere, if you have a weak achilles/calf/hamstring anything could set it off. I just think a cross country race at this stage is placing you closer towards that range of possibility.

From what I know of you, I know you'll be competitive and won't be lurking at the back of the pack, especially when there are team placings at stake. And I get the importance of team, it's why you're in a club

How does it fit in with your schedule? Have you done your last lsr yet or what's the plan? Is there any chance you could do a mlr instead if you decide to race?

Ah no, I really appreciate your advice and it is always what I know I should be doing to achieve my best for the DCM. Just not so sure that the marathon is the main thing for me...although I won't be saying that in another week or two! Going to meet the coach tomorrow and have a chat before I decide

My plan for the following week has me do my final lsr of 21 on Wednesday or possibly Thursday and then starting to taper :eek:

HelenAnne wrote: »

Did you do the novice last year? I think (if I remember rightly) it was dry like this and I wore spikes and they were fine. Or do you think the ground is too hard for spikes? Now I'm unsure which to wear -- i don't want the whole race to feel the way crossing a bit of footpath etc in spikes feels ... decisions, decisions!

I honestly have no idea. Never had to think about it before. The consensus above seems to be to wear spikes and I'm sure they'll be fine, I just don't see any advantage to wearing them in such dry conditions so I might sacrifice grip for comfort and go with the trail runners. Will bring all the options with me and decide on the day.

Hope today went well for all doing XC races. Decided to give the Dublin Novice a go and it went grand (thankfully). A very different type of race to anything I've done before but I'll definitely give another few a go, after the marathon

HelenAnne wrote: »

Think a Crusaders runner won the women's? Didn't see who won the team (was lying on the ground dying despite my very mid-pack finish 😄)

Team gold for Cru women as well as individual gold.

Turned out to be a pretty good day. Watching the second half of Arsenal - United has helped too.

This morning, I wasn’t sure I’d race and even 15 minutes before the race, I didn’t know whether to wear spikes or heavy trainers just to protect my calf. In the end, I folded a insert (from another shoe) over four times and stuck it under my heel to make an artificial lift for the spikes, which got me through the race.

Brilliant race by KU to finish 4th - not that I saw any of it. I was tempted to say beforehand that I thought he was in with a chance of an individual medal but didn’t want to jinx him!

I was in the 40s after the first lap and just worked my way through to finish one or two spots behind Myles Splitz. It was hard bridging from group to group, particularly on the flat into the wind but, after 4 months of no running, in my first race since February, I’m quite pleased.

XC racing is just great, so tactical. Times not important, just chase the lad/lassie in front and try to beat them. Really enjoyed it, hope everyone got on well. 7th for me in our intermediate race, happy enough. Bring on next week!

Leinster Senior 17 Jan, St Senans, Kilmacow, Kilkenny (good venue) 5k