Report on The Monty from Matt

Crewkerne Running Club – Full Monty Cute 10.5mile Cross Country Race 1^st December

There’s a narrow start, so it’s good to be near the front at the off. Richard Boulter braved the front line, while I stepped back a little, and the hooter went off. At the Wessex Cross Country I made the mistake of leading Rich for a while, so this time I stuck to his heels as we went through the first mile as leading YTRRC runners...yes, I know...where were the others?

Mike Harvey, arriving in the form of British Hill Climbing/Fell Champion (a Nick Brooke legacy), sped by before we left Ham Hill and shortly after  Lewis Bacon upped the pace. The terrain led us on at a furious pace until “Crawling Crest” loomed and we all fell into a hunched shuffle to reach the top. A quick blast downhill, hurdle the stile (practised that at the Cross Country too) and then a lap of Muddy Michaels Mount before another hunched crawl up that!

Leyton Green had trundled past by now, grinning from ear to ear. I don’t think he’s been that muddy since he was six! “Lady’s Walk Hill” appeared amongst the autumnal trees and not just the Ladies droped to walking. Our usual YTRRC summer runs paid dividends as I knew the variations of the slope and was able to pace myself. Through the trees I could see Lewis had eased off and was now running a little behind with Sara Trim...what a gent!

At the top we crossed the road to a smattering of applause and brief respite in the form of a water stop. Unfortunately, I choke if I don’t stop and lost four places. My pace was steady but a twisted knee from three weeks ago was beginning to complain. Down the long slope and up “Ridiculous Ramp”, followed by another long downhill to be met by abuse from Martin Chaffey marshalling in the middle of a field!

Under the trees to overtake a runner trying to make the place even more muddy by using it as a pee stop. Sara and Lewis were steadily making progress behind, so I upped the pace a little to go over the brow of “Arduous Ascent” and past the bulls (!). Suddenly, there was a strong smell of alcohol as Sarah and Lewis caught me up. We ran together for a while but at the bottom of “Stupidly Steep Summit” they left me behind. A determined last effort got me to the top in front again, but I had to let them go as my knee finally gave out and I couldn’t descend very quickly. Now it was a battle to finish and “Irritating Incline” didn’t help. A fellow athlete (?) jogged by and said “It’s easy now, soon be home” and I watched her pass.

The final long descent was very uncomfortable and I checked my watch as I passed the 9 mile marker. Can I beat 1:30? Twelve minutes to do one and a half miles...One big hill and then some flat...

I’ve always said PMT...Positive Mental Attitude...always helps...(have I got that right?). Anyway, I kept the pace steady all the way up and round “Foolhardy Fell” to reach the peaks of the protruding prominence of the Ham Hill ramparts. Check – three minutes to go.

No pain, no gain...I’ll pay for it later...a quick sprint and I’m inside the time by eight seconds! Two minutes quicker than last year! Elated and excited!

Mark Gosney has beaten his target of 1:45 having been paced around by our Spanish friend Manuel. Sam Harvey has found his running legs once again and completes a sterling effort. No other results known as there not on the website yet, but everyone I spoke to enjoyed this tough, demanding, but ultimately satisfying, local race. Great stuff!

Thanks Matt