New year, new start

It seems a tad strange to write about finishing fifth in a race, especially when I know three of the four people ahead of me who clearly did better. But yesterday was a very significant day for me: it achieved a big missing element on my cv: finishing high enough in a county championships to be asked to represent the county, but more significantly ended what I would describe as eight months of terrible form and not enjoying races, to the point where I was almost not bothered anymore, something that I was afraid to admit too loudly for fear of judging myself as a quitter and not knowing what else to do. 

Setting into a good pace, pre-fall.

Like two seconds later...

Yesterday, as I settled into a large group behind the leaders, was the first time in a long time that I felt like I was in control, fit, and able to respond to what might happen. Unfortunately I wasn't quite able to take advantage of that feeling: firstly three minutes in I felt the side of my shoe rip open to the point where I was worried it would come off, before I then hit the deck with a fair amount of force as my legs disappeared under me rounding a corner 10 minutes later.

I don't like to be pigeon-holed, but falling over in cross country races seems to be my forté. The highlight of that 'career' being the infamous YouTube clip, closely followed by the unfilmed 'trip over a tuft of grass' at National XC 2014. Like both of those, today's simple slip as I rounded a tight, downhill right-hander at the Worcestershire County XC Champs saw me bounce straight back to my feet, which is what I hope I am more known for. Not much chance of that!

Quite the hole.

Like a whole other foot-hole...

Although I winded myself as I became intimate with the ground, I managed to keep it together enough to take the fifth spot and was honoured with receipt of a piece of A5 white paper which has eluded me like gold dust. It's significance: automatic selection to represent Worcestershire County at the inter-counties competition in March, if, I could competently and clearly fill out my details and return the water-soluble 80 gram per square metre parchment to the officials clean and ASAP before they scarper. Another challenge. 

I've spent weeks worrying that January 2015 had been my 'now or never' moment: I was in the form of my life 12 months ago and it had been my best shot to quality before injury put pay to that. Yesterday I proved to myself that I'm still capable and I've have cast aside those demons. I look forward to lining up along side many of the people I competed against yesterday in two months time as teammates, but more importantly today I find myself looking forward to doing some races again and exacting revenge on those who eluded me today. Be wary fellow competitors, because my confidence is back. And in the next race I may not tumble. 

I just need some new shoes first. 

The elusive piece of paper, whose durability
was questionable in the conditions.