X-C Season Numero Uno – A Quantum Leap
By Dave Irvine-Halliday

The Nose Creek X-C culminated our first X-C season and judging by the looks on the faces of the runners (at the finish) maybe it did not go so bad after all.  It’s quite remarkable to learn that in four races comprising the best part of one thousand runner-miles not one injury was reported.  We did ‘lose’ a runner in the last race but she turned up O.K. and is raring to go again and ‘Murphy’ did strike twice in the form of ‘helpful people’ rearranging our marker flags – a lesson which taught the ‘hare’ that he should never allow the front runners to catch him!

How then do we sum up our first X-C season?  Was it a success, how do we measure success and by whose standards do we judge?  Well as I’m writing this article I suppose my somewhat biased view will have to suffice!

Financially I have to say we did reasonably well for a first attempt as we actually finished the season in the black.  This is all the more surprising when you consider that the three musketeers don’t even speak the same mother tongue and their collective command of Canada’s other language is to say the least tenuous, on occasions hilarious and quite definitely always interesting.  Thank God for our wives, our infinite collective sense of humour and an attitude which proclaimed that if this gets too serious then to heck with it – we’re here to have fun in the planning, to give enjoyment to those fortunate (and clever) enough to participate and in the end to be left hopefully with some memories well worth recalling.

I’d like to believe that we succeeded on all three scores.

It’s our opinion (i.e. him, him and me) that our club had somewhat lacked that final dimension which all mature clubs possess, that is until the advent of the X-C races.  Think of it – we had lots of excellent road races, there was plenty of opportunity for track training and racing but nothing at all of what some may call “real running” or “running natural”.  I believe that the four quite successful X-C races offered this season have provided an opportunity to a good number of our members to experience an alternative or additional form of training and racing which will in all likelihood expand their running horizons, maintain their interest in the sport of running even longer and probably, if it’s important, help them to faster road race times.

I’d particularly like to thank all you runners, CRR members and others, who participated in X-C ’86-87 because not only did your being there make it all worthwhile but your constant feedback told us what we were doing right and more importantly what we needed to do to improve things further.  I was particularly proud of how easily the concept of ‘bringing a modest dessert’ was accepted and the wonderful response to boot (we have some real fine bakers out there – men and women).  I suppose I thought it was a bit of a gamble even though it’s the done thing back home, but it just goes to prove that runners are very much of the same ilk world-wide and thank God for that.  Many thanks go to Forzani’s and the Running Room who have both had to jog my memory on occasions to request draw prizes.  Thanks folks, we all appreciate your donations.  It’s also pleasing to know that you X-C runners appreciate our unique awards system where the winner takes zip and all prizes are drawn out of the hat.

To Hein and particularly Bob we all owe a profound debt of gratitude.  I know from experience just how many circuits of the race courses that Bob ran always seeking the most interesting and challenging route and yet not producing a survival course.  To Bob’s entire family (I believe the participation went as far as great grandparents, or was that just a rumour?) many thanks not only for your total involvement but especially for the spirit in which it was given.  To our many other helpers, marshals, etc. your efforts are sincerely appreciated and necessary.

To sum up season X-C ’86-87 we had the interest, the participation a fine selection of races together with magnificent performances in every race, some great tucker and low entry fee and most of all lots of fun.

That only means one thing – I’ll see you all at the start of X-C season II on April 18 on the “Wee Hill”.

Thanks for the privilege of allowing us to introduce you to X-C and for the memories.

Slainmaith,