Run race (Beerwah @Daybreak) 4:12:35 [5] 44.11 km (5:44 / km) +1168m 5:03 / km
shoes: Innov-8 X-Talon 212
Very early start getting up at 3am for a 4am start. It had been raining most of the night and was still raining on and off during the entire race. The first 30 min were in the dark, and the top 10 pretty much were all bunched in single file along the single trail running at a slow pace as it was so wet and slippery.
After 6km it got light and ended up in the lead pack of 4 once it got out to the less slippery trails. Nearing the first 22km loop I had started dropping off the back of the pack but feeling OK as I hit halfway in 1.58.30.
The 2nd loop was the same but in reverse. For most part I was on my own thinking the lead runners were miles ahead (when they were only a few minutes ahead until the last 5-6km). I got passed by one guy but didn't bother trying to stay with him as I was feeling pretty tired and just tried to hang on. The last 5-6km was pretty horrible, as I got stuck up in the 10km and Half Marathon runners and together the track got really muddy and slippery so it was impossible to keep up any momentum. Legs were starting to feel pretty achy too which they normally are when wearing trail running shoes.
Ended up in 5th about 15 min down on the leader. Happy with that considering only 4 weeks training and only 1 long run above 20km in that time. Also no rest leading up and O the arvo before probably didn't help. Nice area but probably not a race I'd do again.