For what it's worth, here's the
map. There are several legs I really don't know how accurately the route I've drawn reflects what I actually did....
Relay, Castle Hill. The reason I travelled down for Nationals this year and was felling good enough to take on the first leg, so really should have enjoyed this. But really did not. Got through the first loop ok although the 2 big climbs hit hard. Was staying about where I'd expect to in the pack though. Then somewhere around 25 minutes started to really hit the wall. Thought I was on the verge of an asthma attack while in the rocks north of the arena, fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) by the time I was back in the spectator area that had passed, so kept going even though I was right down among the dregs on the leg at this point. But as soon as I'd committed myself to the long loop to the northwest just lost it physically, which do doubt contributed to a couple of big mistakes (and it wasn't nice starting to feel dizzy in amongst those big rocks..). Again the big DNF looked tempting coming by the arena one last time but <1km to go so forced myself back into the rocks and somehow switched the brain back on enough to stay in front of the few leg 1 runners that were still around me (while trying to ignore the fresh looking leg 2 & 3 runners gambolling around). Really don't know what happened there, surely can't blame the altitude, some water on the course would have maybe made a small difference?... guess I shouldn't be surprised if I wake up with a mega-cold tomorrow...
Hopefully one day I will be back and in sufficient shape to appreciate what is an awesome place!