By-eck, It’s a Bit Draughty Out There!

On a cool, blustery and damp day, Wesham had another excellent turnout for cross-country. Ten ladies and twenty three men made the journey to Townley Park in Burnley for the second Mid-Lancs fixture.

First of all an apology, to Brian, (see his report in absentia). Surprisingly, after the recent rain, there was little mud on the course. However, conditions were far tougher than at Leyland or Mansfield. It could have been a lot worse though, as the weather really closed in an hour after the meeting finished and the journey home along the M65 was far from comfortable with very strong winds and torrential rain.

The men’s “A” team were led home by Charlie Pass in 37:03 for 11^th place, closely followed by Alex in 38:41, (31^st and 11^th vet 40). Lee Barlow 40:59, (59^th), Karl Lee 41:03, (64^th), Joe Hodkinson 41:13, (67^th) and Derek Buckley 41:25, (72^ndand 6^th vet 50) completed the team.

John Collier 41:59, (90^th and 7^th vet 50) was first home for the “B” team, closely followed by Steve Myerscough 42:42, Dave Waywell 42:45 (1^st vet 60), Richard Davies 43:21, Peter Cruse 43:25, John Bertenshaw 44:01 and Martin Bates 46:22. John and Martin were both making their vet 50 debuts at cross-country.

There were excellent runs also by Andy Owen 47:06, Graham Vickers 47:38, Mark Midgeley 49:46, Jonathon Lawson 50:09, Nigel Shepherd 51:09, John Sharples 51:33, Peter Cooke 53:09, Derek Goodenough 54:22 and Norman Bateman 54:22. Well-done everyone.

A big welcome to cross-country for Derek Goodenough. Derek enabled the club to field a vet 60 team for the first time and they finished second to Clayton le Moors. Other team results, Men’s “A” 5^th Div 1; Men’s “B” 3^rd Div 3; Vet 40 5^th Div 1; Vet 50 2^nd.

I now feel that I have to respond, (with the benefit of hindsight of course), to Mr. Porter’s report written whilst in sick bed. Or should that be, sick report written whilst in bed? I will say no more about ‘she-pees’.

To answer a few of Brian’s questions. Les was there and he had his spikes with him as well. Unfortunately he fell on the first lap and turned his ankle. He didn’t think there was any real damage but the St John’s team kindly iced and strapped it up for him. Hope it is OK now Les and that you make it to Liverpool in a fortnight.

Come on Brian, you can run the Wesham 10k and get to Sefton Park by 2.00pm. I’ll have the tent up ready for you.

Talking of the tent. I’m pretty sure we beat 18 minutes this time. The sight of several members of the team shivering in the wind encouraged the construction squad to get a move on. There is talk of acquiring an all-new, bigger and better tent. This may require us to raise our skills to new heights if we are still to get it up in time.

As you mentioned Brian, Julie was not there but ‘Waywell Catering’ still turned up trumps when Chairmen Dave arrived with a table and large flasks of tea and coffee. Well-done Dave. Remember everyone, bring your own milk and sugar to future meetings.

As for your “Man-Flu”, did I say that, or was it several of the ladies? If you can’t make a speedy recovery, at least make a complete if sedate one. Remember, if you’d been there you would at least have had the ‘tea’ if not the ‘sympathy’. Finally, 32 athletes - 22 men, 12 ladies? Please report to Captain Russell for ‘maths revision’.

Talking of Captain Russell, I’m sure Yvonne has something to say about the ladies. …….

………10 ladies….and we’re away! They say Burnley can be a fast course – and the ‘getting ready’ bit certainly was! We arrived just in time for the tent to be erected, a quick change and then we were being told to hurry up to get to the start line! No time for two toilet visits pre race – although it has to be said that our recent recruit to WRR is already aspiring to Captain status and brought a team toilet roll –OK it wasn’t club vest co-ordinated but it was there even if we were missing Cap’t Julie!

On to the start line and we were off! It was a great course, quite flat and the most challenging bit was not the mud but the wind – some of our runners are so petite I half expected them to take off and fly round the course! That said, if you ignored the course route of ABABCBA, and just followed the crowd, you could really enjoy the course and the great support from the WRR boys who were dotted around it, (even appearing as far afield as C!); it made for a fun time!

Kath fought for her first position overtaking Michaela, (“I’m back and watch out”) Dempsey and Helen, (“Look I’ve not been at a race for ages but I’m fast”), Briggs, and then maintained it to be first lady home in 28:45. Hot on her heels was Julie C in 29:19 who didn’t quite pip her at the post – but had she seen the fact that Kath was throwing herself on the floor mid way round the course, I’m sure she would have gallantly helped her up rather than step over her!

I now have to mention some of our other runners who really are proving to be loyal and dedicated and it’s great to see they are, not only improving, but more importantly, looking like they’re enjoying themselves! Pauline W is a great member of WRR. She shows true determination and works hard in all her achievements and, to see her times improve is wonderful and with a fab 34 minutes on Saturday – it was a fab day for Pauline. Following her example, with quiet enthusiasm and persistence in terms of running, are Tracy and Mandy. Tracy does not give herself credit for her running exploits but is turning out to be a great cross country runner and stormed home 4 seconds in front of Mandy showing a strong finish in 35:29. “Our face of Mansfield”, (see the Gazette), Mandy, continues to add glamour to cross country. She is eager to improve her running and is a real team member of WRR and, following on from her National Cross Country Relay debut last week, put on another great performance at Burnley.

Our two younger members of the cross country squad again excelled themselves. First of all we have Beth, who has only recently joined us but has already purchased some ‘killer’ spikes and ‘go faster’ green shoes…she only needs to meet up with Ian now to purchase her club vest – but thanks to Graham V for loaning his spare vest to her. Cross country of course wouldn’t be complete without Hayley………how this girl exists is a mystery – just as well she doesn’t need beauty sleep! Beating the 5:30 Mansfield time, she claims to have got to bed at 7am on Saturday morning before appearing at Burnley to be 6^th lady home in a time of 33:24………very impressive!

May I give a special mention also to Marie who was there on Saturday and, as always, started the run as eager as anyone I ever see at cross country races…..but unfortunately she had to pull out on a damage limitation exercise of an injury! That said, in true Marie style, she didn’t go back to the tent and sit and sulk – instead she was there on the course with Peter as chief, (and nicest), supporter…..cross country isn’t cross country without Marie! Hope your back in time for 2007 Marie…..!

The girls, in turn, supported the boys – but not without great gratitude to Dave for bringing along the refreshments! Fantastic idea and he didn’t have to say twice to us ladies that this could become a regular fixture if we provide our own tea/coffee/milk! It’s so much easier to cheer on your fellow team mates with a cup of tea – although not that easy to clap hands!

Two meetings into the season and Wesham ladies are 3^rd in Division 3 and 5^th team in the V35 category…….the season is still young and hopefully we can improve on this.

May I just say though, as this is the last cross country for 2006, (unless a few fool hardy are off to Sefton Park after completing the Wesham 10K!), a VERY BIG THANK YOU to all the ladies that have turned out for cross country! Last year Wesham struggled to make a ladies cross country team and now we have a great turnout and fantastic team spirit amongst us! Your hard work and effort to turn up, coupled with your enthusiasm in embracing the mud and cold shows fantastic athletic prowess! It really is wonderful to see………….ladies and boys…..here’s to 2007 offering us even more fun packed cross country activity………!!

Written by: Yvonne Russell and Dave Young.

Submitted: 16^th November 2006

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor.