February 18th - Norham Cross Country

No stiffness from yesterday, and a gorgeous clear sunny day. Bundled the kids, including Hamish’s infected and swollen tonsils into the car and drove them to Norham for the last fixture in the Borders cross Country Series. I won this last year, but didn’t fancy my chances this year, especially with Carnethy in my legs (although after my efforts with the pot-scrubber – no longer ON them). When Brian Marshall turned up 10 minutes before the start I know my goose was cooked.

Bit of a mad charge at the start, during which I settled into 4^th spot, with fellow Gala Harrier Rory Methven pushing the pace up front. Reeled him in over the next few hundred metres and took the lead after about ten minutes. Lovely winding course through woods and along a river-valley. Several stream-crossings. Could hear heavy footsteps immediately behind, and confirmed that it was Brian. Held him there for a few minutes until we hit a wide, straight level section where he effortlessly pulled away. Managed to hold 2^nd place, gradually putting distance between myself and a spry young City of Edinburgh runner. Finished in 26 minutes dead, probably 30 or 40 seconds behind Brian. Once again, not tired at the finish. Maybe there’s not enough speed in the legs to tax myself properly. No photos other than this one of Oscar giving chase, as Ellie, the lazy toad, led all the boys back to the car as soon as the race started to eat chocolate and watch a DVD!