Looking Forward

A nine-miler today, based on Monday's route, but in reverse. I added a mile or so at the beginning and made a change to avoid 'that fence', adding a bit more.
The snow (and, thankfully, the slush) have all but gone now, but the melt water made most of the off-road sections rather boggy. There was a lot of moisture in the air as well, so it was a little depressing really. Even the dog walkers seemed grumpier, but maybe that's down to the post-Christmas slump!

To perk my spirits up, I've put my entry in for NTRIX and also for the Jane Tomlinson York 10km at the end of July. The 10km is a little expensive, but it's for a very good cause, it's in my birth-place, the day before Yorkshire Day(!) and it would be a shame to spoil my 100% record, as I've already run it in 2009 and 2010.
I came close to a Personal Best in 2009 without really trying, but was rather slow in 2010 as I was carrying an injury (well, that's my excuse, anyway!). A PB seems unlikely this year, too, given the number of runners they're aiming to pack into York's narrow streets, so it'll probably be a 'run for fun'. It's really nice to run in my old home town, especially as York is just so lovely (biased? - me?). I'll get to see my mum and sister and hopefully one or two old friends while I'm there.

I had a series of emails from the club today asking if I would like to race in the Warwickshire XC championships at Cofton Park next weekend, the Midland XC championships at Newbold Comyn at the end of January and the National XC championships at Alton Towers in February. Truth is, I'd love to do all three, as well as the remaining Birmingham League cross-country races, but as I've mentioned before, I haven't paid my subs, and don't feel I should take advantage unless I'm prepared to stump up. Come to that, by fielding a 'guest runner' (I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a ringer), the club could be deemed to have broken the rules and might face exclusion. That would be one way to make sure I left under a cloud!