Spent the early part of the afternoon cheering on Bec and Billy in the under 12's (getting a team bronze in the process which they were thrilled with) then Maggie and Charlie were up in the 1km fun run. Finally got around to the Men's Open race and, after thinking it may be a low quality race, saw Jeff Hunt, Nipper, Russ Chin and a load of other names front up.
I set off at a pace I thought was relatively easy but was surprised to be running with Robin Whiteley and, when we went through 1km in 3:08, realised that it must have been the excitement of running after 4 days rest. Sure enough on the first hill Robin pulled ahead and Chadi came past, followed by Jack Colreavy.
From then on I was pretty much running solo but aware that Richie Roberts was closing in. I felt comfortable on the flats and downhills but was losing time on the ups. Spoke to Richie who said he got within a couple of yards of me in the monster hill on the final lap but that I was pulling ahead on the downhills. Only scare was my shoelace (the one with my timing chip) coming undone in the final 1.5km. No time to stop to tie it but the tag was about to fall off on the final corner. Luckily limped over the line. Felt OK at the end as it wasn't a mad scramble to the line so hopefully no harm done before next week.
Only problem is stomach cramps since the race. I'm hoping it's due to running on no food all day other than a couple of doughnuts from the Berry Famous Donut van.
Nice to stand on the podium for 3rd place in the Over 35's with the kids cheering on. Unfortunately with Chadi and Robin in the same age group anything better than bronze was highly unlikely.
Here is the coolest video of the course which shows you a bit of what it's like, but not enough detail on the bugger of a hill at the back end...
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