Run race 52:17 [4] **** 6.7 km (7:48 / km) +170m 6:55 / km
spiked:18/23c
A very enjoyable Bendigo event in the most difficult square kilometre in Australia, the gentle slopes on the north side of the mountain at Kooyoora. I made a horrible mess of a control here last year - it's the sort of area where you can pay very dearly for a mistake - and was intent on something better this year.
I did get something a fair bit better. I wasn't super-agressive physically in the terrain, but stayed in control for the most part, and got it back quickly when I lost it. Not really any major mistakes as such; a couple of times I drifted and pulled it back, and a couple of times I got poor lines in the terrain and lost time without really losing track of where I was. My luckiest break was at 14, the first control of the second loop: I was unsure and thought 'if the control isn't behind this rock I don't have a clue where I am', but it was.
Bruce and Bryan were late starters so I don't know how my time will rank, but I was pretty happy with this run. A good day out a week before the Australian Championships carnival (and good to get this under my belt: it's only my 3rd event in Australia since Queens Birthday).