Northern Police XC

Wednesday 21/02/07

Northern Police cross country league
Lancashire fixture at Wilson's Fields, Clayton le Moors
13th place in 38-48

Sole Cumbrian representative at this, decent course, though very muddy.
Start delayed due to the North Wales mob arriving late.
Miffed not to beat Craig Jones of the aforementioned Taff contingent.
But I got in a scrap for the last two laps with a.n.other.
This ended in a fierce sprint (see ugly straining faces below), victory made even sweeter when I found out he was a Shadwell too!
Winner by a country mile was the horse that is Malcolm Fowler of Cheshire Hill Billies.

Anglezarke Amble

Saturday 10/02/07

Amblezarke Amble LDWA - 24 miles / 4220ft
1st place (not that it matters!) - 4hrs 34mins

With Wadsworth Trog cancelled due to the weather a last minute decision and early morning start got me to the start of the Anglezarke Amble.
Most of the first half was in falling snow with a good few inches on the ground.
As I found at Samlesbury Bottoms last year, local knowledge is a good thing for these events.
Started off well and was feeling strong when I took a duff turn (dodgy route description I reckon) and went about 1k up a road the wrong way.
By the time I got the map out and had a head scratch I'd lost a good quarter of an hour.
This led to a newly found motivation to push on the pace and I got back in front at Darwen Tower.
I knew the last bits from previous Wrinkly Runs from Rivington but the very last section through the reservoirs caused more navigational challenges and I only finished four minutes ahead of the next two.
Enjoyed post race hot pot with all the trimmings and apple pie with rice pud, still managing to get back for the Rugby.
Photo from a previous visit to Winter Hill, site of the first check point (where it was snowing sideways).

Rombalds Stride

Saturday 03/02/07

Rombalds Stride LDWA - 22 ? miles / 3200ft
37th place - 3hrs 27mins

Started off OK (or too quickly?) and hung on to the first gal (3-04) for a while over the moor.
Then the wheels fell off at around 2 hours which should have been no surprise.
Lucky to have been caught by some locals so I could follow through Menston.
Finished very tired but thoroughly enjoyed it especially the meat pie and pudding.