City 2 Surf 61:33

Wasn't expecting much from the race this considering how my training has been. Was still at the Red start at 6:15AM but the time went quickly anyway. We now start at 7:55AM instead of 8am? Stupid change by Fairfax.

William St was great leading Steve Jackson who I somehow passed even though he had preferred start. Lead him until he tugged on my singlet just before the road split for the tunnel. So maybe 700m I was in front. Had to make a pit stop at Rushcutters after waiting for 2 hrs at the front of the red group. Bit hard to sneak out and be let back in.

I was really bad on any little hill and felt the whole field go past me up to Edgecliff. Caught a few back on the downhill into Double Bay but was then passed again up the hill to Cranbrook. Started sweating a lot as I was on the edge of my fatness through Rose Bay. Turns out it was only 50% humidity and it was just me. Bugger.

Got to the 5k flag in 22 mins. Forgot to change the garmin which was beeping like Timmy at Mile markers. More people went past me on the flat to the bottom of heart break. The hill was a struggle with all the extra weight I had on me. Apparently according to Fairfax I was in 2648th spot at the bottom and 2834th at the top. Didn't think that many passed me but based on chips they can start at anytime and are not actually running with me.

As I turned at the dead heart of Dover Heights I was feeling better with to downhills coming and motored past a few. Got taken back by a few later on up to the 10k which I reached in 45 flat. Could be the Striders 45 min pacer next race. Hmm!

The downhills were coming and so was my speed cranking the pace up to 3:35/k at one point. Screamed to a halt trying to negotiate the crowds and small hill on Campbell Parade. Through to the finish where I managed a kick to finish in 61:33 and 2307th spot.
No paper this year from Fairfax the tight arses? Striders didn't have a tent so we all stood around getting photos and chats with Deek, Monners, Mottram and Pat Farmer.

Times off my watch that I usually take:
5k 22:00
6.2k 25:57(c2s time)
7.2k 32:34(HBH clock)
7.8k 34:26(c2s time)
10k 45:00
Finish 61:33(32:34/28:59) One of my best splits here of 3:35. Now if I can just get to the clock faster. I'm a gun after the Heart break hill clock. 2834th position at 7.8ks and finished in 2307. Passed 500.