WOC MIddle Trials at Orroral Crossing
Really enjoyed the nice sunshine at the event before the start and even considered no running. With last start I had a bit more time to prepare and was very relaxed at the start when I did get there.
I missed 30secs on the short #1, contoured a bit too far to the right. Got the next 2 ok and was chasing Alex Massey (2min man) towards 4. This was a tricky one in the circle and a few lost time here. Got 5 ok and finally relaxed a bit to 6 where I caught Geoff Stacey. At 7 I ran to the left of the hill but turned up a bit too early when I mistook the rocky ground for a boulder. I found Ezy(4mins) here. I exited to 8 poorly and Ezy got in front so I followed him but then I got the control first. Again exited poorly and my route to the right was way slower than Ezy and Alex who dropped left, and lost 26secs to them.
I had to chase hard to 10, 11,12 but we were all going too fast to 12 and stopped not sure where we were. I was battling to keep with Ezy/ Alex and Geoff climbing up hill to 13, and again took a poor line through the green to 14 and Alex was in the lead. The climb to 17 and 18 seemed tough and Alex (who only does 25min training runs) got dropped. I stayed low contouring around the hill to 20 but Ezy and I came together again. Scary control and the green was a bit hard to read and I was happy to find it a bit in front of Ezy now. Got 21,22 ok and according to the splits I hit the lead here. Started to open up a bit to 23 and 24 now trying to stay in front of Ezy. At the 2nd last I was equal with Craney but Ezy was smashing it to the last control passing me up the hill and I managed to gain two second lead and hold it to the finish.
It felt like a very sloppy and slow run and I was surprised to be on top. A very pleasant surprise especially after I felt so down after the morning. But I guess tough granite terrain is what I love and a few others made too many mistakes. I did regret not nominating for WOC now....
Splits
http://www.obasen.nu/winsplits/online/en/default.a...