A is for Aerobatics on Ashurst Beacon

For the 14th round of my 2018 schedule I rested my bruised leg, decided against risking another bike crash and took the short trip to Beacon Park for the second round of the North West Sunday Cross Country League hosted by Skelmersdale Boundary Harriers. I was racing for Penny Lane Striders as St Helens Tri don't take part in the NWSCCL, and despite knowing the climb like the back of my broken saddle I'd never been into the grounds of the park itself. As such I'd left it a bit late to only arrive 30 minutes before the start because it's a long walk/jog to the start line. On the way I got completely lost and was only redirected to where I needed to be by two St Helens Striders who were going through their warmup. Eventually I found the PLS holding area to drop off hoodies/tights/skull caps and after a quick team photo I joined the hordes at the start line complete with my yellow cap and gloves hoping that the noticeable breeze wouldn't throw me off balance, that'll teach me not to go to the rugby club the day before. Come 10am the starters orders were given and we were underway.

I went round the outside of quite a few people into turn 1 but the first descent brought out the worst in me and Liz was only too happy to escape from THE ARMS which were quickly deployed in "stay upright" mode consummate with me being the closest thing to a Mercedes GP car in a cross country race; picks people off for fun in a straight line but goes round corners like a box on wheels. This proved particularly troublesome at the first run through "the gulch" as in one of the few muddy parts through the trees, but at least this section wasn't quite so exposed. More to the point we had the first cliff face to scale next; here I was unable to get past a wall of little people blocking my path to the top and as such I was only too happy to slot in behind a teammate so as not to cost him any positions. At the top we turned left twice then down the same descent I'd got lost on during the warmup and it was only here that the field thinned out and I got a good look at the upcoming terrain. It was here that the race started to come back to me a little, because at least now I knew where the wooden bridge crossings and steps were and I could open it out somewhat on the flatter parts of the course. One person I overtook was St Helens Strider and fellow triathlete Rachael Fairclough who recognised me before I even knew she was in the race! The same thing happened a couple of minutes later with a champion fell runner I used to ride bikes with at HMCC in Ormskirk was tiring through the gulch and I was keen not to put her into the trees especially given that she's smaller than Ariana Grande so I waited my turn and then swooped round the right side of a long left hander to overtake. By now we were coming up to the 30 minute mark and my next pick off was a bloke in a blue T-shirt similar to the one I got from GUESS last year and he almost fell forwards on the first few steps of the last climb so in the true army spirit I gave him an "encouragement push" knowing I'd then breeze past anyway. This I duly did, and with one corner to go and only the uphill to the finish remaining I had an Ellesmere Port runner plus another St Helens Striders/Tri dual registration legend in my sights. A final effort out of the last corner saw me up the hill ahead of both of them and I was suitably delighted to finish the 4.9 miles of Beacon Park in an unofficial time of 35:21, in what was definitely my best "hilly" cross country to date.

After waiting for Liz and Stella to lead the ladies in and Cheryl to join me and Colin in the PLS/St Helens Tri dual registration circle I got a lovely surprise from our marathon legend Felicity who had baked vegan Viennese cakes! They're so good, I think I need to invite her to the Garswood cruelty free fair on December 1st to join me at the Arbonne stall (those biscuits would go perfectly with a fizz stick cocktail). We enjoyed a good discussion about how the race had gone, the upcoming PLS Christmas night out and my plans to race primarily for PLS from next season - but not until my coaching course is in the books and I've got my licence. It was getting a bit chilly by the time the clock struck 11am so with the England game on tap for afternoon entertainment we made our way home via the long walk back to the car park only for a dog to throw its tennis ball out of its mouth and go following me! The owner was quick to see to that and, after a quick chat with PLS/LHAC/Ibiza legend Lyndon Easthope I bolted home via the Fylde fish and chips in Burscough. One quick athlete's refuel later, I was on the train to town for the Bierkeller to watch England beat Croatia and reach the last four of the Europa Nations League, later finding out that PLS had also finished amongst the elite; men in the top 3 and the ladies winning overall! What a day, now time to review my British Triathlon coursework before a late dinner..........

Now for the results, in association with the Fylde Chippy, Burscough:

Distance: 4.9 miles/7.85km
Time: 35:21
Final Position: wait and see
Dogs: 2
Black Hawk Down Moments: 1
Post Race Nutrition: 10/10 (Felicity's vegan biscuits, chips and spicy curry followed by a couple of Brewdog IPA's in the Bierkeller)

REJECT OF THE RACE: PLS Aerobatics Team, St Helens Tri Division
(You had to be there to see my attempt at a Red Bull commercial - Liz I hope I didn't hold you up)

Time to press on with work while resting my left leg. See you at Garston on Tuesday?