Too much mud!!

Ive come to realise that running for me is as much "in my head" as it is "physical fitness".

I had quite a lot on my mind last week, had to make a decision regarding work and it was using up a lot of time in my head! Ive read that lots of people can find running, a good way to de-stress their mind and thoughts, i find its the opposite!

I find i really didnt run well last week, whilst i was making up my mind of what to do. Some days i just couldnt run at all. Once id made my decision, i felt relaxed again and my running came back to normal. Quite strange!.

Other than the days that i was pre-occupied, i have ran quite well, especially the XC today at Dunstable. I amazed myself in fact! Ive not beem looking forward to XC since Thursday really, i could quite easily not go! But when it became apparent there would not be many women there, i thought that reallty i should go. Jo S kept assuring me that i will be better at it this year as we have done lots of XC runs (no mud though!!) and have completed lots of big hills during these runs as well.

After almost missing the start and having to sprint to the start, - not a good way to start a race!

Anyhow, it was VERY muddy, and i did do my best to avoid the muddy bits, but this soon became impossible. Sometimes losing your feet in a mud puddle, that ended up past your ankles! I knew i was getting muddy, but i decided to not look until id finished as i knew this would stress me out! And consequently, i would run badly for the rest of the way!

My heart rate reached 194 on one of the hills! Blimey, that cant be healthy! Once, id finished, i decided i had enjoyed it. Always the way though, i enjoy it once its over - Never during!

I was very pleased that i had such a good run on a XC course, as im not good on grass or mud!! So, i guess i must be getting used to it and improving. It was nice to score for the club, never happens usually, as the super fast women are always way, way ahead of me!!

Thanks to Gary Cook for telling me to sprint at the end to catch the Bedford Harriers lady ahead. I wasnt going to bother, as i thought id never catch her, but i could hear Gary shout and i managed to go up a gear and caught her! Such a good feeling!

Got my best placing of 13th lady, usually im around 28th, so pleased with that.