Run race ((orienteering)) 15:31 [4] *** 2.8 km (5:33 / km) +10m 5:27 / km
spiked:23/23c
Post-Schools sprint. Felt OK on the warm-up and good in the first couple of controls. This was good while it lasted but it didn't last long - this race was Gone in 60 Seconds, because that's about how long it took for a back spasm to occur (unusual for a flat race). This one was at the nasty end of usual experience and slowed me right down - was very tempted to stop but thought failing to finish a sprint at a national carnival would be somewhat humiliating - perhaps best indicated by the leg where I was having trouble getting away from John Robinson (an outstanding runner in his day, but closer to 80 than 70). Did start to ease up a bit towards the end which is vaguely encouraging, but the time was suitably humiliating - barely beat any of the kids other than the reserves.
Maybe on the weekend all parts of my body will finally cooperate simultaneously. (The throat infection that's plagued me for the last week finally seems to be easing properly now).
A great day for South Australia, with three wins out of four. Angus Haines was particularly surprising - he's certainly fast and I thought he might be a top-six shot with a good run, but I definitely didn't see him as a potential winner.
I'm now spending the time between now and the end of tomorrow exploring the northernmost corner of NSW, having this afternoon managed to find a beach and associated settlement which the property developers haven't managed to get their hands on yet (Fingal Head).