Sunday 15th November 2009 was a quite mild and pleasant day for my first sortie into the world of a cross country racing.  The race being the rather wonderfully named "Suicide Six", in Baggeridge Country Park near Wolverhampton.  Steve, Immi and myself travelled over together, getting into the car and instantly turning into childish 20somethings as men are want to do when out of sight of their respective 'her indoors'.

On arrival we soon met up with Simon R (who had naturally been there since 9:40am for the 11am start, to allow time for checking the place out and having a cup of tea).  I commented on his early arrival to his wife, Pam, "Yes, he likes to get there early" she replied rolling her eyes, obviously a long time sufferer of his early starts.  We stood around for a while, met up with Immi's wife, Sally and her two daughters who had also come to support us, had a cup of coffee, the traditional last minute visit to the small boys room & then down to the start.  There we found Simon G - warming up by running up and down a slope... as usual looking a bit more 'professional' than the rest of us.

Then on to the startline..... well I say line.... startfield would be far more accurate.  We were not that far back in the crowd (Simon R's instructions - local knowledge based on the first corner) however could hardly hear the organiser at the front giving us some final instructions on a very substandard megaphone.  The only words I heard were "careful" and "water is very deep" out of his long diatribe.  There was minute's silence as well for a local runner, Mark Perry, who passed away in a tragic accident recently . Then a clap and a cheer, a whistle and we were off.

Seemed quite easy going the first part, wet, bit of muddy grass.  This isn't too bad I thought.  Then up the first hill, nice and gently zig-zagging up.   Then steep to the top.  Bounding up it, full of beginner enthusiasm, passing far more accomplished looking runners, thinking this looks easy.  Then for the downhill part... steady... steady.... oh sod this, lets go.... running flat out to the field below.  It got harder from then on, about 400 yards of very clayey wet grey mud (apparently only half as deep as last year....hmm...), up and down countless hills... though there was a section of tarmac in the middle, which was a bit of a surprise.  Then towards the end of the race came the really interesting parts.  Firstly a steep climb up a hill..... determined to jog all of the race I set off up.... 15 secs later with hands on my knees I was walking up.  Then a path through the trees on the side of the hill, many 90 degree turns and a few 180s thrown in, thinking that the Marshall's are taking the micky with this, this is never the race track... there is no track.  Then under and then over a couple of fallen trees, and down to the stream.  The stream....

Here special mention must be made of Steve, who apparently after some child shouted, go on jump in... did just that, straight in completely under the water.  Maybe we need to find a special water feature just for him on the normal Monday night Chugs (upper Bittel reservoir anyone?).  Anyway, big cheers all round for those going under (whether by choice or accident).  Wet up to the waist for myself and back on track for the final push.  Starting to struggle by then, the proper runners started to pass me in numbers.  Wondering how much longer has this got to go.  Going up hill slightly again.  Hold on, this is a dead end, where do we go now.  Why is everyone going up those steps.  Steps arggghh..... 1000s of them, well at least 50, an absolute killer after at least 5 miles of running.  Really suffering now.... no idea how long left to go (no mile markers out in this race).  Then the marvellous sight of the yellow inflatable finish line, only about 400 yards away.  Energy levels up, sprinting down over the grass overtaking all others and all is well with the world again as I cross the line.  Finally met up with the sixth Chugger after the finish line, Michael.  We were all talking of heroic tales of mud and water whilst holding our very green t-shirts celebrating the completion of the course.  All in all absolutely top fun.

November

To Simon R - MV50 category for the first time ever.  Well done to you sir on attaining your half century, quite fittingly on the same day as one of your favourite races.

Results and times for the 6 chuggers who took part (out of around 700 starters):

92          0:46:31  Simon Gompertz MV40

171        0:50:14  Stephen Meigh SM

285        0:54:28  Chris White SM

290        0:54:36  Michael Halloran MV40

431        0:59:29  Simon Richards MV50

552        1:04:59  Immi Gandhi MV40