Want to try to do these regularly this winter to maintain some sort of fitness. Wasn't feeling terribly energetic during the warmup, so started back mid-pack and shuffled up the first hill. Over the course of the first km or so I just kept moving steady, but not pushing too hard keeping the HR in the high 150's. Gradually moved past a whole lot of folks who had apparently started too fast as I didn't really feel like I was moving very fast and eventually wound up in a relative no-mans land for most of the race. Could see folks ahead, but too far to make a push to gain on them, and the main pack quite a ways back, though one guy caught and passed me on the run in trail. George & Lyn in attendance, no sign of SteveR. And Tony B. for the Strider contingent.
Finished quite strong, with a much better time than I would have guessed going in. So that's a plus...
7th of 107, 2nd M50-59{edit} yet still my slowest time ever, at least of those logged in AP for this 'course'.