The Harrier League - a Beginner's View
Jane Ives
After being talked into doing the Harrier League cross country last year (and loving it!) Susan asked me if I'd write a short article for this year from the perspective of the beginner to encourage other new club members to have a go at cross country! I've written the following:
Harrier League starts on Saturday and if you're a new member of Elvet Striders you're probably thinking it sounds all too serious for you! I was quite shocked to find myself on the start line last year after being a club member for a whole fortnight! More of a shock was the determination on the faces of the 100 serious runners I was lining up with (the first race I'd done without a Scooby Doo costume in sight!) but I was as ready as I could be in a borrowed Striders vest, race number and kindly donated Walshes (all thanks to Susan and Debs). There was no turning back now and the race started with a blistering pace!
This first venue wasn't too muddy (much to the disappointment of most runners!) and the course undulating rather than hilly, but boy was I glad to finish! What a blast - to have run my first 'proper' race! I came 104th out of 106 but nothing could take the grin of my face. Fantastic support from the men during the race and fantastic women's team support with every runner's effort celebrated, all followed by cake! So, here I am a year later with my own Striders vest and new trail shoes - I'll be nervous again and the pace will still be a shock but I can't wait. If you're on the sidelines wondering if you should run on Saturday - give it a try!
Hope this encourages a few more to run!
