Sprint O race 17:19 [4] **** 4.03 km (4:18 / km)
shoes: Asics gel-1140 #2
I was running hard but not as hard as the first stage. I had 71seconds lead in the chasing start. My two goals were to practise good control flow and to try and cut corners like Ross Morrisson says (so Todd Oats told me). But i had to turn on the first 10 control SI boxes so control flow went out the window. The planner said he instructed a guy to turn them all on but he forgot to ask him to do it again after the delay to the start. Fair enough, simple mistake. The guy chasing me was hungry i guess because he ran 60seconds faster than me on the course. I was happy to qualify to the French champs from stage 1 and to win the overall cup so long as i don't make a mistake and don't jog it.
There was also two extra prizes for everyone. A prize for an uphill leg that everyone had. You were supposed to know it when you were on it rather than having any indication. It was just steep steps for 21 seconds for me. The best was 19seconds. And the other prize was the sprint finish. I punched the second last and started jogging to the last (40meters). But once i saw the chasing guy punch i had to go. So i didn't rest up like i thought i was going to have, but seeing him so close made me sprint hard and i took the prize.
I came home with a trophy, two certifications, a t-shirt, two bottles of wine and a nougat bar. Nice success at the end of the first week back training.
My hips were ok today. But my right calf was having this slight slight niggle like i had back in January to June this year. F**K!