Cross Country
March 3rd, 2008
Sophie Lake will be quite happy if it rains on March 8.
This is the day that the Tollbar Year 10 student will be representing her county and her college in the English Schools' Athletic Association National Cross Country Championships at Sefton Park in Liverpool.
And Sophie likes nothing better than bad weather when she’s running.
“A lot of people give up if it’s windy and raining so that helps me,” she explained. “I
liked getting wet and muddy, it’s fun although my mum doesn’t think so. She makes me stay outside with a load of wet wipes and clean myself up before I go into the house!”
Sophie earned her place in the national competition by finishing in the top five in her age group in the regional competition and will now race against competitors from schools all over England.
She is a member of Grimsby Harriers and says she couldn’t have achieved this level of success without the help of her coach Eddie Williamson. She trains Mondays and Wednesdays, does circuit training on Thursdays then races on Saturdays and Sundays, usually against other clubs in the area.
Cross country distances range from around 3,500m to 5,000m, depending on the terrain and Sophie, is also an 800m runner and a long jumper, always wears spikes whatever the weather and wherever she is racing as they are lightweight and breathable.
“In one race we had to run across a stream and I’ve raced on sand at Skegness,” she said.
