International Masters Cross Country Championships 6Km - 26 Nov 11

By Celia White

Once the triathlon season was over, I was ready for a well earned rest and decided to take it easy for the whole of October. However, after doing the qualifying races for the above championships, I received an email in mid Oct to tell me that I had been selected to run for Wales at the International Masters at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow. So, after a couple of weeks recovery, I decided that I had better do some serious running training in preparation for the big event.

The weekend finally arrived and, even though I didn’t know any of the other team members, I was put in touch with Pauline Thomas, who runs for TROTS, and we flew up to Glasgow together and shared a room in the Hotel. On arrival, I thought that I would be in for a relaxing pre-race period as some of the team were racing in the 65+ age group. How wrong could I have been!! After leaving our baggage at the hotel we headed into Glasgow – a good 20min walk away. We spent the afternoon checking out the sites, but boy, was it cold and really windy.

That evening Pauline and I went to get some food before the team meeting. After climbing over fences and walking around the grounds of privately owned flats, we arrived at a cinema complex where we bought chicken fried rice. We had to cover the same obstacles on the way back because we didn’t really know where we were and we didn’t fancy swimming in the Clyde!

At the meeting, everyone is given a warm welcome whether you have competed for Wales before or not. After a team talk and collecting kit, it was off for an early night.

The next day dawned very windy, heavy - almost horizontal - rain, sleet at times and cold. Buses were organized to take us to the course. We walked round the course, which was extremely muddy and hilly, the downhills were quite treacherous and the uphills were long and hard. Once the race started, I was already wet through. Within 100m the water was up to our knees. The course was hard anyway, but the conditions had made it worse, however, I was really pleased with my race and even had enough energy to put on a bit of a spurt at the end. I don’t think I have ever raced in such conditions.

My body temperature plummeted once the race and the adrenaline were over. I had to get a shower soon but the buses, which were taking us back to the hotel, would not be leaving for another 20mins. So, Pauline and I headed for a shower – even though I didn’t have a towel to get dry – I used 2 hairdryers instead – and felt much better for it.

That evening we went to the prize giving, which was great fun. After the meal and presentations it was time for some Scottish country dancing – these people never seem to rest!

After getting back to our hotel – nearly unscathed – Pauline did walk into the revolving door after her glasses steamed up, I tried not to laugh!
The next morning after breakfast we met up again with some other ladies and headed off to the waterfront museum where we looked around a Tall Ship and the Christmas market. Then we caught our flight back home. It was so nice to get home and see the family again, and pleased to see the children had survived a weekend with Dad! They loved their Scottish gifts and even seemed pleased to have me home again!

All I can say is I had a thoroughly enjoyable time and I really hope I can get fit enough to be chosen for the team again.

Finished 11th in Age group & 7th Welsh Female

in a time of - 25:19