rogaining race (Twilightgaine) 3:16:25 [4] 31.6 km (6:13 / km)
shoes: Asics Gel 2130
I thought even before we got to the event that Gawler would be a bit small for a 4-hour rogaine (5-9pm) and as soon as I saw the map I knew that it would only take me and Zara about 3 1/2 hours to clean up. So the task was to find the most efficient order in which to get the all controls given that at least 4 other teams were potentially capable of doing the same. It was a bit hard to concentrate on this because we had set up right next to the hash house and everyone who passed by wanted to chat!
The course lent itself to 3 loops - north of the river, east side of town, south side of town. We went north then east figuring that the boring southern suburbs would be easiest in the dark. Zara had a funny tummy so wasn't feeling quite up to speed, but it turned out that we still had more than enough pace since we finished the course in 3:16, nearly half an hour ahead of John Soden/Andrew Murphy, and we didn't even have to get our torches out (probably should have for the last control). 3rd were Andrew and Rory McComb who also cleaned up the course - they should be pretty pleased with themselves.
I was mentally geared up for a 6-hour equivalent so this seemed quite short, and weirdly enough my hips hurt less when I have a pack on, keeping my back upright, and it was nice to have no hills for a change. But it was after midnight when I got home after dropping my parents home, and I couldn't get to sleep - heart pounding and feeling a bit queasy. After I got up and raided the vegemite jar I was fine, but the 5.30am alarm came round all too quickly....