JK Long M21E - 30th
Basically started out hard thinking my legs might last it. Was going alright, however some 20-30s misses on #1, #4, and 1min or so on #15.
Moving well enough, but when it came to #9 through to #14 or so, all the running hard & pounding on the fire-roads started to take it's toll. Coming into the map exchange I was starting to tire a bit.
Not all that surprising giving I haven't been running hard in rather a while.
Still, as planned, took a decent break and a gel at the road-crossing, and got into it again in the next bit. Already starting to take safer routes due to tiredness, but missed 30sec on #20 and #24, plus maybe to 15-20sec on #23.
Through the spectator, still hanging on, but tired & slowing. Took a 2nd gel. Desperate times.
Leftish to #31, still running, just. Down to #32, but just missed it, and carried on checking 2 other controls which clearly weren't mine, 2:30mins maybe lost, shocker.
Got moving again, but from #35 on it hit serious-bonk stage with getting home just being priority, the remainder included walking-breaks due to tiredness and hamstring cramps.
On #38, in the 100m from the ride to the control I had to take 2 sit-downs, as the hill was too steep for me, and I needed to control the hamstring & calf cramps.
What a bonk.
On a good day, 110mins or so would have been doable. But I will never be properly pleased with my strength until this is (at least close to) a sub-100min course.
Reckon I can get back to some sort of long-distance shape in 2 weeks or so if these lingering injuries are not a nuisance. Maybe a pretty big if.
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