Two mob wins in a row

Thanks to a car load from Cirencester turning up and running second claim for Ranelagh - Wrighty, Chris Illman, Keith Firkin & Claudie - a second mob match win on the bounce resulted in a flooded Richmond Park. It has to be said that Claudie's input was relatively minor, a bit of retail therapy in Kingston whilst the boys were swimming around the park, but she did her bit in the car, motivating us towards an epic win whilst explaining how much she intended spending on jewellery!

David Rowe's picture of the delights of Richmond Park was taken two weeks ago, hence lack of water.

Spent half of the run contemplating what I'd write about Andy Bickerstaff, affectionately known as DH to those in the know. Definitely his week for the treatment given his mocking before the race. Fairly easy really: after many years of his captaincy, Marc Snaith has taken over this season and the mob match victories are flowing. DH's record as skipper was Won 8, Lost 20! He didn't even come into the pub for a celebratory drink after the race, albeit he had a good excuse, but DH not drinking, what has the world come to? Checking back, it appears that we haven't won back to back mob matches since 1988 so we can't blame DH entirely. Bring on Blackheath!

PS So that DH continues to talk to me I'll plug his excellent website that promotes training runs all over the country: have a look at http://www.goodrunguide.co.uk/

Feeling guilty

After a good week's training, albeit with various aches & pains, my first back after a few weeks active recovery, I had a difficult choice at the weekend. Should I run the Oxford League at Culham Park or not? This was a tough decision and I changed my mind a few times. My big problem with any sort of testing xc course (and Culham Park is very testing!) is the pressure on my ailing Achilles. It is no longer possible for me to wear spikes and running on muddy / hilly courses becomes virtually impossible. Against that is my very strong views on the whole team ethic of these league races. This is a very individual sport but we are part of a team and as such should support the main team event of the winter. So what did I do ... ?

The long run at the weekend is sacrosanct whether racing or not so I went out on my own on Saturday morning, Adrian being busy with family, and had a lovely cold run to Siddington, a lap of the water park, Poole Keynes, Ewen & Siddington again, about 14 in total. It was very sunny and I ran early - this meant two problems, namely a very low sun in the sky which blinded me at times and icy country roads. As the day went on I started to think that if I could make the scoring seven I should run the league race, even if wearing flats. Claudie wasn't impressed with the idea: "you'll get injured again" she said. Then Chris texted. He is coming back from injury and building up his training very sensibly. Could he have a run with me Sunday morning he wanted to know. This swung it, I had a reason not to go to Culham. Sorry Adrian, sorry team. I thus ended up with a second long run of the weekend - this time only about 11 miles although at a decent clip - which for my running was perfect but for my conscience ...