Written bij Kjelt Leeflang
During my first training session with Tartletos, I heard about a group planning to compete in the NSK Cross. Having some running experience, I thought it would be a fun way to connect with the club and challenge myself. I had seen the cross country runs on TV and they looked really exciting! So saturday the 18th of january, with a group of about 10 enthusiastic Tartletos runners, we headed to Nijmegen.
The event took place in the Leemkuil in Nijmegen, a stunning area surrounded by nature and filled with lots and lots of hills. Beforehand, we were warned about a steep staircase near the start. However, thanks to the thick mist that morning, we could barely see it! Also the ones who ran the course, know that those staircases werent the steepest climb of the day. Somewhere hidden in the forest was an even steeper hill, without the added grip of a staircase.
I participated in the short cross, which was an exciting but tough experience. I’d mistakenly thought the course was only 2.3 km, so when my watch hit 2 km, I realized I had miscalculated and still had another 1.5 km to go. The last stretch became quite the battle of endurance!
Despite my struggles, Tartletos had some amazing results that day. Eva secured an impressive 4th place in the women’s short cross. In the long cross, we had four participants, with three finishing in the top 10. Samuel took 4th place, and Danny claimed an incredible 2nd! After catching our breath, we all cheered Jasmijn on during the sprint event.
Although it was freezing cold with a perceived temperature of -5°C, the day was filled with lots of fun. The only thing missing? Mud! Most runners crossed the finish line surprisingly clean, which, given the temperature, might not have been such a bad thing. But still I am left feeling like I didn’t do a “real” cross country yet.,So who knows what the future holds 🙂
For me, it was my first time doing a NSK, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Joining an NSK is definitely worth it—fun, challenging, and a great way to bond with the rest of Tartletos!
All results can be found here.