Cork Masters Cross Country. Laharn Cross.
An absolute prick of a race in some of the worst conditions I've ever raced in. so there.
We were up early as we were organising a load of kids in the Juvenile races. it's out beyond Bweeng, a place I had heard of but never actually been to, it's a Celtic Tiger boom town no doubt.
Huge big estates and not a petrol station or a shop to be seen and way up on the side of a mountain.
The roads up there are an election issue too i'd say, the approaches were all little botheríns so parking was in some fellas drive (fair fucking play to him). Rain driving in sideways.
A gale blowing straight down the maw of the hill. A massive community centre right next to the course locked up in case we would get it a bit muddy. it was delightful.
I spent the two hours beforehand either reassuring all the kids that they had done great (which they had) as they crossed the line in absolute floods of tears or dodging tents the clubs had put up being ripped up into the air. It was rough.
I stripped off the wellies and into the spikes about 13:30, kept the two jackets and hoodie on till the last possible second. No point in warming up too much but managed a few strides up the hill to get some blood flowing.
There was a load of gallows humour on the line, "Sure what else would you be doing" probably the most uttered phrase of the day. The starter asked if there were any objections if the couse was shortened from 7km to 6km (3 big laps)
It was like a scene in a WW2 movie where the squaddies who had been eating their pet dog and were down to their last 6 bullets see the bomber fly overhead and take out the nazis. once we were over the hugging and kissing yer man blew a whistle and off we went.
Everyone was cold so there wasn't a huge gallop it was more like a slow surge till we got to the corner and turned down the hill, when it turned into the charge of the light brigade.
Hit the bottom I'm the pack and up along 5 switchbacks which turned out up and down the gradient of the hill. This is where the pack shuffled, I pinged loads of fellas and got pinged myself as the order was arranged.
Once at the top you were along the top again and a fast descent down to the bottom edge of the field where you gathered yourself before hitting a massive climb with the squal pelting into your face.
I clipped two fellas here who gassed themselves and had to walk a bit but it was embarrassing how short and chopping you had to get up it. The core strength got found out fast enough and back around to the top of the 2k lap.
After the first I was feeling good. I had a clubmate ahead of me and a Good friend who normally has my number, behind me so the game was clear. Catch one and stay clear of the other.
Second time around I picked off a barrs fella and got caught by a fairly hardcore Leevale fella who is about 10 years older than me he ended up charging past about 20 spots looking at this finish. The weather had intensified then it was squalling and felt like you couldn't catch your breath the wind was so fast. I slowed down a bit but so did everyone else. Gap closing to the crowd in front. The bottom section was ankle deep with mud, no chance of a good line. Again the fellas who could lift their knees were the fastest I was fairly glued to the ground.
at the start of the 3rd lap I passed a north cork fella which kept me going. The barrs fella I has take passed me back with another duhallow fella passed me, I was properly fucked at that stage. Huge gap behind me so no threat but staggered to the Finish.
Happy out. the club mate was a good 90s ahead of me in the Novice B, was only about 5s ahead and about 3 spots. The fella immediately ahead of me yesterday has 1min ahead in Novice B. and held off my buddy so I'll take it all day long.
Huge field given conditions, about 85 runners. I was mid 40s.
Some numbers from eagle and The Barrs there was dozens of em
Fucked after. Absolutely destroyed the car getting changed. it took about 30mins in the shower and a can of coke to feel normal
