Benente
WOC Relay - Leg 3
Started maybe 20-30 seconds behind a Kiwi and I knew there was a Brazilian somewhere out ahead of me, a few minutes. So they were my targets. Speed at the start was fine but direction from start triangle towards 1 wasn't fantastic, stayed on the tracks but could have shortened running distance, saw Kiwi ahead of me. Think his 1 was west of mine so i'd the advantage here. The next few controls were all ok, might have lost some seconds but generally ok, and on the start of the long leg to 7 I was with the Kiwi. Our routes diverged slightly on route and on the first of the tracks we crossed I saw him ahead and the brazilian. On the climb up the hill to the next track and the road the kiwi got away from me with a higher pace and I let him go, not sure how I let him get away, should probably have ran harder but I felt I was running at the limit. Passed the brazilian and went into the loop from 7-10. Leaving 9 I saw the BRA lad punching after me but i'd a few seconds as I was on my way up the hill, didn't hit 9 too cleanly.
The next few controls were alright, no sign of the BRA. Then messed up 14, the control before the specator control. Went a bit right of the line to start off with and then leaving the track I was too short and overshot the control hitting green beyond it, headed back and then saw the control. So maybe 30secs-1min lost. Then out onto the track, ripping the bottom of my o trousers on the way. Crowds had thinned a bit going through the arena but i appreciated the cheering, got cheered at numerous points along the run through, not sure who was where as I didn't lose focus that much. By the time I left the run through I was pretty shagged at this stage. Got 16 alright but direction out of 16 towards 17 was off resulting in me ending up on the track to the left of 17 but cut in alright to it. At this stage I was tired. Going to 18 I reall took a long route on the track around. In hindsight this wasn't smart but I felt comfortable in my position. Brain was not functioning and I wanted to stay cleaning and was willing to sacrifice some seconds to achieve this. Back out onto the track which had some climb towards 19. Hit it ok and after that it was back to the last control and up the run in.
Pleased with my race, some small time lost but there wasn't much more I could have done. Next year I will be even fitter and in a better position to race harder.
Results
GPS