NSW Short Course Cross Country 8ks

The race was being held at the Crest at Bankstown, which meant I had to take my passport to travel that far. Didn't help when the M5 was blocked so I had to turn around before going in the tunnel and headed down Stoney Creek Rd etc. Heaps more lights. Due to this I only arrived at the course 20 minutes before the start. So, no look at the course and no warmup. Bugger.

Crowded start on a wet oval with a course that had a few hills, but nothing too bad. Plenty of mud which I managed to avoid except for my shoes, socks and legs. It was a bit slippery but I tried to run on the grass edges of the course to avoid slipping. It did work mostly.

I felt I had a pretty good run going through the 1st 4k in about 16:30 and then finishing in 33:24 on my watch. I started it a bit late, so probably a few seconds off. Average pace of 4:10 per klm. Not too bad on that very twisty narrow in places course. The downhill section by the houses which was muddy slid you towards a creek with a fence to stop you. Fun! And one of the corners was fast downhill along a road with a sharp right turn which was a bit hairy when my shoes slid away towards the road. Nice skid mark left!

Striders did ok with the medals. Brightshoes winning his age group I think. The 45+ male team was 3rd and the open team was 2nd.
The females I think came in 2nd in the opens and Lucy C was third overall I think.

I'll be glad to get back on some wet bitumen tomorrow at the Cherrybrook Fun Run. At least the ground will be stable.