There are always a few kids who sprint off the line but after about 3-4min everyone gets more or less sorted out and starts to take their respective places. I recognized a couple guys out front and knew I wasn't at the same level so I hung back a bit. I know I'm running at my ability if I'm leading the chase pack, which is where I found myself within the first mile. I kept the next guy within reach but wasn't sure if I'd be able to reel him in. I gradually pulled up on him over the next mile but he slowly pulled away again and finished about 20sec ahead of me. There were a couple guys battling behind me most of the race and by the end they had closed the gap to within 50m or so. I heard them coming strong in the last 20m so I gave a bit of a surge at the finish chute to make sure I didn't get punked at the line.

Got about 1.5 mile easy jog with Matt and shot the shit about our upcoming season. After I finished my CD I changed shoes and logged another 8 miles to cover my weekly long run on the day.


I'm not a 6k kind of guy and this was just a fun way to get a good workout so I didn't come into it fresh (did a 20min TT on the bike yesterday and a tempo run on Wed).


Just like last time there wasn't any water on the course and next to nothing for post-race hydration/nutrition but that's what I expected. This is a bare bones XC series and wasn't advertised as anything more. they are having a party after the last race though so hopefully that'll make up for it.