"Honeysuckle Creek", via Tharwa, ACT. M55A / Hard 2 (3.9km, 17c). 12th/13, 1hr behind Ian Prosser. Best leg: #3 (8th). Best pos: 14th (#5-6). Very thick bush. Not possible to run very often. Surprised by how high my average heart rate was. Too far right at #7 and spent too much time in the thick stuff (lost 14:20). Too far left at #9 (-8:30). Got really lost on my way to #12 - wasn't sure if I was short or long but stumbled across #4 again and got back on track (-5:00). Surprised a lone kangaroo near #14. Overran #16 and then had doubts whether I had punched #15 correctly so ran back (-7:45). Totally exhausted by this stage and could not break into a run for #17 and F. Would have DNF'd near #12 except the remaining controls were on the way. Time lost: 35:35! Tripped/fell heavily twice. R achilles aggravated on way to #10. Keen to do E3D so not sure about fitness for SL1 or MetrO 1. Cadence: avg 99, max 180. 27°C. TE 4.8.
