Yesterday at Abbottstown marked the final race in our Meet and Train series.
The journey started back in Tymon Park, where I took part in my very first cross-country race. I was excited but also a little apprehensive as I didn’t want to let down my team mates or Sportsworld. I run the 5k parkrun at Bushy Park, so I thought, “Two miles? That’s nothing.” How wrong I was! I quickly found that cross-country is a whole different beast. The hills, the uneven ground, and starting off way too fast made it an unbelievably tough experience. I spent the entire race huffing and puffing, feeling like I was at the very edge of my limits. Luckily, I didn’t yet have a Sportsworld singlet, so I could fly a bit under the radar while my lungs and my legs screamed at me. The soreness in my legs lasted until Tuesday, which was a reminder of how much harder cross-country running is than I initially thought! Since then, my legs haven’t hurt so I must have become a bit more accustomed to the challenge.
Yesterday’s Race, was a bit easier in comparison, though “easy” is hardly a word I’d ever use to describe cross-country. The course yesterday was 2 laps, and I have to admit, the lap felt long! Luckily, during our warm-up, we ran the lap once, so I knew in advance just how tough it would be. It was good to know what to expect, but honestly, even though it was only 2 miles, it felt like so much more. For me, running is often more of a mental game than a physical one. 2 miles is 2 miles, but on that course, it felt like an eternity—every lap seemed longer than I anticipated.
As for the race itself, I was so focused on getting around the course and pushing through those tough hills that I honestly didn’t notice much around me. I didn’t see any of the men warming up on the track, which I saw mentioned on the WhatsApp afterwards. I was oblivious to everything except getting to that finish line! It’s funny how in the moment, all that matters is just finishing. And then once over the finish line how great you feel.
One of the things that I’ve appreciated the most about this series is the amazing spirit of the club. All of the ladies are absolutely incredible, and I’m in awe of their talent and determination. A special shout out to Ann Marie, who has organised the series with such care and enthusiasm. Her cheers during the races were a constant source of encouragement. Also, a big thanks to Olive for her cheers yesterday! She’s usually at the front of the pack but despite being sick, she still found the energy to come and help push us along. I also want to extend a huge thank you to Emily and Myles for all your support and encouragement throughout the series, as well as the unbelievable dedication you put into our training.
And of course, we can’t forget one of the best parts of the day: the teas, coffee, and cakes at the end of the race! It’s a fantastic opportunity to chat and celebrate each other’s efforts. It really makes all the hard work worth it.
Reflecting on this experience, I can confidently say that the Meet and Train series has been a fantastic experience, and it was great being part of a team. A big shout out to my Team E teammates—Joanna, Emily, and Jessica. We may not be collecting any medals this time, but it was all so worthwhile. Here’s hoping all the other Sportsworld teams will bring home some well-deserved medals!
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