Wil Chung

Main Menu

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Tough Mudder Discount Code for 2022
    • 361° Ambassador
    • Team Enertor
    • OCR insurance
  • My Race Calendar
  • My Blog Posts
    • Obstacle Course Racing (OCR)
    • Race Reviews
    • Fitness
    • Running
    • Random
    • Kit

logo

  • Home
  • About Me
    • Tough Mudder Discount Code for 2022
    • 361° Ambassador
    • Team Enertor
    • OCR insurance
  • My Race Calendar
  • My Blog Posts
    • Obstacle Course Racing (OCR)
    • Race Reviews
    • Fitness
    • Running
    • Random
    • Kit

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Five things you need to know about your First Tough Mudder Infinity

  • Rough Runner, Charlton Park – April 2022

  • Tough Mudder North London – Finsbury Park – April 2022

  • New Tough Mudder distances for 2022

  • Tough Mudder City – Morden Park 2021

Running
Home›Running›My first Cross Country Race – Stafford Common XC

My first Cross Country Race – Stafford Common XC

By Wil Chung
November 19, 2017
2674
0
Share:
Stafford Common team photo
Stafford Common team photo

Stafford Common team photo

Cross Country was a form of punishment at school. I remember the ritual of having to go to Sconce Hills Park every winter. We would have to run around the fields for  3km – absolutely hating every minute of it, walking a lot of it and generally coming somewhere near last.

Fast forward 25 years or so and I jumped at the chance to represent my local running club in my first “real” Cross Country Run. This time, I had swapped Sconce Hills for Stafford Common and I was a willing participant.

The  males senior race was the last one to go out, so had plenty of time to chat with the team, talk about the course and do a warm up. Our team was doing well, including some podium finishes, but in all , it was about the team – each participant accruing points for the team to keep us strong in the league.

No medals, no t shirts – just points!

The Cross Country race is usually around 8km, this one was clocked in at just over 7km and was three laps of the course. Most of the finishers in earlier races were coming back relatively clean, and I was informed there was really only one part that had mud, the rest was just an undulating run around the fields.

I did have my 361 Ortega 2 trail shoes, but decided against these and went with my OCR Reeboks as they have a more aggressive grip. Many competitors were wearing spikes and for me, it may be a future consideration for me. I was still slipping in places with the reeboks, so definitely the right choice. Club vest, shorts and enertor running socks completed the look.

Stafford Common Flat LayStafford Common selfieStafford Common team photo

We lined up for the start – I decided to head for somewhere in the middle of the pack.  Very quickly though I was being over taken, i looked at my pace and at that point it was 4.15 m/km – not shabby at all! The first lap was gruesome, my breathing was terrible (even though I did a warm up). I settled into a 5m/km pace and let the speedies pass me and get on with my own race.

The course was undulating with only one muddy ditch. A lot of support towards the start/finish of the lap, but to be honest, I was keeping my head down and just counting down the kms. The race was a tough one, and although I finished with a decent time and pace, I was very much down the field – damn you club runners!

Picked up my token, handed it into our club captain and grabbed a team photo. It was cold, it was tough, but I’m looking forward to doing it all again in a few weeks time. My first Cross Country run will definitely not be my last.

Stafford Common Cross Country Strava 1Stafford Common Cross Country Map

Get more stuff like this

Subscribe to my mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.

I respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously

TagsFitnessrunning
Previous Article

361° Ortega 2 Trail Shoe Review

Next Article

Newline Sports Imotion kit review

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Wil Chung

I'm a wellie wearing, spaniel owning, marketing ninja by day and a running & OCR  enthusiast at the weekend. I'm kindly supported by Enertor Global and 361º Europe whilst also proud to be a Tough Mudder UK Ambassador. This blog is a collection of race reviews, kit reviews, thoughts, musings and ideas.

Related articles More from author

  • KitRunning

    361 Sensation 3 shoe review

    May 14, 2018
    By Wil Chung
  • Course Map
    Obstacle Course Racing (OCR)Race ReviewRunning

    The JCB Mud Run 2017 Race Review

    July 1, 2017
    By Wil Chung
  • 361° Stratomic
    KitRunning

    361° Stratomic first thoughts review

    August 13, 2017
    By Wil Chung
  • Wolf Run Goodie Bag
    Obstacle Course Racing (OCR)Race Review

    Autumn Wolf Run 2017 Race Review

    September 5, 2017
    By Wil Chung
  • Wiggle Winter Beach Race
    FitnessObstacle Course Racing (OCR)Running

    Fitness goals for 2017

    March 11, 2017
    By Wil Chung
  • Zombie Evacuation 2012
    Featured PostFitnessObstacle Course Racing (OCR)

    5 tips for your first obstacle race

    March 8, 2018
    By Wil Chung

Leave a reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

0

Check These Out...

  • Equinox24 11
    Running

    24 things I learned from my first 24 hour race

  • Obstacle Course Racing (OCR)Race Review

    Tough Mudder City – Morden Park 2021

  • Aftershokz titanium main
    FitnessKitRunning

    Five reasons to wear Aftershokz Trekz Titanium

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

  • Rough Runner, Charlton Park – April 2022

  • Tough Mudder North London – Finsbury Park – April 2022

  • Tough Mudder City – Morden Park 2021

  • Tough Mudder London South 2021

  • Bog Commander Obstacle Run 2021

  • Aftershokz Aeropex Review

    9.3
  • Tough Mudder London West 2019 Obstacle Race Review

    9
  • Tough Mudder London South 2019 Race recap

    8.9
  • Toughest Race Oslo 2019 Race Recap

    8.8
  • Tough Mudder North London 2018 Race Review

    8.8

20% off your first Tough Mudder

As a Tough Mudder Ambassador, I have a discount code entitling first timers to 20% off in 2022

Use the discount code BRAND22UK62E4319O for 20% off your first Tough Mudder.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

My Instagram (@Wil.i.can)

wilchung logo

I’m a Marketing Ninja by day, a weekend warrior, brand ambassador for Tough Mudder, 361° & Enertor and Field Spaniel owner based in Cheshire.

Originally from Newark, Nottinghamshire, I have a degree in Business Marketing and a black belt in Shotokan Karate (when I was 12).

I love obstacle racing (running) with my top three races being Tough Mudder, Tough Viking and Toughest.

Contact: wil [at] wilchung.co.uk

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Five things you need to know about your First Tough Mudder Infinity

    By Wil Chung
    May 1, 2022
  • Rough Runner, Charlton Park – April 2022

    By Wil Chung
    April 24, 2022
  • Tough Mudder North London – Finsbury Park – April 2022

    By Wil Chung
    April 16, 2022
  • Arctic Enema (3rd of 4)

    Europe’s Toughest Mudder

    By Wil Chung
    May 17, 2017
  • Arctic Enema (3rd of 4)

    Road to World’s Toughest Mudder 2018

    By Wil Chung
    January 1, 2018
  • 361° Stratomic

    361° Stratomic first thoughts review

    By Wil Chung
    August 13, 2017

Get more stuff

Subscribe to my mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.

I respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously

Copyright © 2022 Wil Chung Disclosure: Please note that some of the links that are included on this website are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I highly recommend all the companies listed and if you would like to support this website in some way, using these links will help you do exactly that. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Terms & Conditions
 

Loading Comments...