Running race 41:30 [5] 4.0 km (10:23 / km) +205m 8:16 / km
Bringewood - Day 3 SINS - Middle Distance - 2nd class (6th course) 1st class over 3 days (4th course overall - M16 up starts!)
The organisers allowed people to start early due to heavy rain. I opted for late start and found myself in deserted forest for middle third. First 4 controls were orange standard and managed to overshoot 2 (-40s), 3 the map was wrong (-20s). Settled down, first 10 legs were ice skating on mud, no grip despite spikes up/down or on slopes, rather neutralised my downhill ability. Lost 45s on 11 and 20s on 12 (overshot - orange standard control again). then it was 150m climb over the last 1.5k, technical zig zagging up/down hillside. Put some effort in, good grip underfoot helped and made up some time. Only dropped 45s today to Mikhail, I dare say drier conditions and letting rip, rather than protecting lead I could have done better, but pleased I held it together in trying conditions for everyone! Hardest thing today was being alone in forest (no atmosphere), plus not being able run properly during first half, worried it was slipping away from me in both senses!
Very pleased with performance on all levels, stuck to strategy and took longterm view of not taking chances (leg 6, day 2 excepted) and improved each days performance as a result, also tried to avoid any negative thoughts, perhaps this was the difference.
Running warm up/down (Pre race) 8:00 [1]
Struggled, legs beginning to feel it, but seemed to do just enough, no WD.