Team Gold at Nowra 12km cross country - Blue Dog saves the day

3.00pm, ANSW 12 km long cross country, Nowra

Firstly thanks to the supporters who helped keep me going on a tough hilly course, and for the after-race pastries and sweets that were the best I've had all year. Kit and Elise produced some very tasty savouries.

The 12km course consisted of 3 * 4km circuits on a manicured grass course.
The striders mens teams were missing a few of their regulars and stars. The mens 45+ team secured the services of Blue Dog on his comeback from injury as the final and fourth runner of the all-conquering team. In short, we won first place in the teams event thanks to Blue Dog on a count-back from Kembla Joggers or some other team of jokers: nobody remembers second place-getters anyhow, it's a cruel world.

I went out hard and battled with Dennis from Striders for the first 2km. There seemed to be more downhills than inclines but the legs told me the opposite. It was a hard course which constantly changed direction and height. I was saving myself on the hills although I was pretty tired most of the way around.

Unknown to me, Mohammed was about 20 m behind me most of the race until the big hill on the third circuit. He passed me at the drinks station as I grabbed a drink. I then went up a gear, and cruised downhill to pass him quickly again in cruel fashion after he'd been lining me up for several kms.

I finished strongly and the glutes held up well. Time was 49.49.