Well done Becs and Daren!!! 
Not so well done chick 
. Well, actually the good news is: 1st lady. 
The bad news: it was an XC race. And it wasn't 5k 
. Something like 5.45 or so. Note to self: next time read the race description before you sign up 
. Finish time 23:28 which I reckon is a PB over that distance in an XC race 
First k started on grass, then hit a tarmacked cycle path and went by in 4:00 flat. It was a bit downhill, which helped. Then we hit a potholed, gravelly forest track with potholes so deep they would swallow a small car 
. Not many marshals about and I went the wrong way at one junction. Some Nordic Walker ladies kindly pointed out that I was possibly going in the wrong direction... so back I went and spotted a mahoosive signpost 
Not quite sure how I could have missed that on the way out. But I missed the next k markers, if there were any. It's a small field, just a dozen runners so there's no-one in front as the two fast boys have long gone and there's no-one behind either. As there isn't really any competition to spur me on I'm sticking in my comfort zone. Working hard ish but not uncomfortably so. Wish I had taken my XC shoes! As it were, I was running in my Fastwitches and they have VERY thin soles. Ouch 
. Wimp!!! 
Some stones are rather sharp and bore themselves uncomfortably into my feet. C'mon, wimp 
Finally hitting tarmac again. Oh, the relief! Now it's about 500m of incline back to where we started. Digging deep now - funny how hills always seem twice as steep when you have to run up but I want this horrible thing over now!!! So much, that I forgot to stop my watch as I cross the finish line. Idiot! The MC confirms that I'm 1st lady home and I even win something for the trophy cabinet. I reckon I should be happy but I feel a bit short changed somehow as I really wanted to rock up and run a fast road 5k and possibly a PB. There's nothing around here for months now so that PB will have to wait. Onwards and upwards. Tomorrow will be day one of my official HM training plan. Bring it on!!!
Now routing for carrot. Go girl, go go go!!!
Edited: 06/05/2012 at 12:58
