Run race ((orienteering)) 1:28:45 [4] *** 13.14 km (6:45 / km) +435m 5:48 / km
spiked:17/21c
SA Long Championships at Iron Baron. Unexpectedly inherited the win when Simon ran from 18 to 20, my first state title (outside the NT) since 2005. The name of Steven Bradbury was invoked from time to time.
The result was a lucky one but this was a decent run, sometimes having a little trouble pinpointing control sites (especially small bits of rocky ground) but with no time losses worse than 15 seconds (the last control was the worst of them). Also felt a bit stronger than I have of late, grinding well up the hills (although not fast up them, as Simon demonstrated at 8) and lasting the distance OK. It's 88 minutes rather than 110, but then I don't expect to have to race over 110 minutes again until September/October; will restore a bit of confidence over the longer distances, which I've been lacking this year.
Caught Nieuwy at 4, earlier than I was expecting to (he missed 4 a bit). He then edged away from me on speed and I thought I might have to work to stay in sight, but he went too low at 6 and I didn't see him again. Simon went through me at 7 and moved away thereafter (he probably would have been about 12 minutes ahead of me over the full course).
It wasn't a bad area, contours/rock vaguely similar to Burra but more variety in the vegetation, from casuarina to scrub to more open areas. Quite rocky underfoot in places.