Event (SL 13 - Tank Paddock) 54:44 [4] ***
spiked:13/18c
What promised to be a very wet day didn't eventuate with the constant overnight rain trailing off just as we were starting to set up at event site. What a relief and where I thought I might be wearing extra layers I took them off and where I thought I might be drenched I almost got sunburnt.
Started off badly to #1 - missed the correct w/c and got to track so had to relocate. It was a challenging beginning and I lost a lot of time on this leg. Pretty full on Start triangle area for the kids, I thought. A bit tentative to #2 then feeling better #3-#11 but a straight forward leg to #12 was thrown away carelessly. Crossed the ride - yes this is a ride/clearing and went for the fence to use to get to the marsh, but grass was tough going and slowed down markedly and then manufactured a couple of 'extra' marshes which I tried to make mine. Should have run the ride (which rockman kindly pointed out later in the day). Got a bit more momentum after that but still tough going in the paddocks - the promised 3 different types of terrain delivered in spades. Pulled up a bit short for #16 and sloshy as on the way back to pivot and to end (wobbled here trying to find some drier way.) Liked the challenge, but was a bit disappointed at speed where possible - mud just sucked shoes and grass grabbed legs so pretty tired.
Then back to organise Presentation - again went well; people liked medals and certificates. Everyone happy. Lyn loved her special presentation :-)). Packed up and gone by 2:30 and home to junior and rockman.
So there ends this year's SLs - 3 wins in this class and 3 pathetic results in another.
Absolutely thrilled to catch up with jenny.
Day28toR.
Edit: OK I've now decided I am totally stupid. Crossing the ride to #12 - should have taken that as the route option as splits really display a lot of time lost there by trying to straight line it. I saw people running along the spur (on the ride) - just thought they were stronger than me in the grass. Poor start - I knew I was in the wrong w/c when the control wasn't there but why I continued on shows I wasn't concentrating - just could have hopped over to the next gully.
And the day sucked - well the mud seemed to suck me in and the grassy sections just sucked the legs so that lifting was hard. And wrong features sucked me in too. Quads hurting tonight and shows terrain running shoddy. BUT good fun - yes I mean that.