Sutherland to Surf 11k - 41.39 , 45th overall.

Down to Shire town for the 2nd weekend in succession for the highly popular running of the 11k Sutherland to Surf. Trained down with Birchy and after 2ks warm up with Birchy a few friendly hellos to locals Laura and Crossy we hit the start line. Lined up on the front row with Crossy Lad and moments before the gun was about to go young upstart Harry Summers ambles up and arrogantly stands directly in front of Crossy that got his back right up.
Its a bloody fast start this one and although keen not to get carried away find there is a mass of people ahead by some distance even before the main road cross over at 500m. I go past Laura around the 800m mark and soon after see a 3.26 first Km recorded. Hold steady thereafter feeling as if I'm ticking along OK  before the first of the climbs comes near Westfield Miranda at 4.5k, Struggle to get over the top but happy to pass through 5ks in under 18 minutes. A few rolling hills after but feel as if I'm tiring before the long stretch of a hill around the Woollaware area before the 9ks and my cause is not helped as perhaps the only person to come past was Belinda Martin with her son, that in itself is no shame but the fact was he was only 9 years of age certainly had me double blink. Tried to lift it heading down into Cronulla and started to do the sums in my head that a respectable  40.xx was on the cards but had forgotten the last 1k is the toughest on the course and despite having the stunning beach views I was gonski and certainly didn't finish feeling strong.
Crossed out in 41.39 average pace 3.44s, Pretty happy with that and its good to get a race under the belt especially after the past month with interrupted training and head colds. Disappointed though with the 2nd half of the race and I reckon I lost somewhere between 60 - 90 seconds over the course of 6ks
A great event this one and once done caught up with the gang in the Cronulla Tent care of Crossy with Birchy taking the p!SS cleaning out the pancakes on offer for everyone.
Enjoyed a mid morning coffee where Laura redeemed herself for last weeks ordinary effort by taking us to the finest coffee house in the Shire before returning to Wanda Surf Club for the afternoon on the deck refuelling our battered bodies. Left with wobbly legs and then caught up with old mate Kanser in the city for a few pints and even better banter for a few hours.
Splits for the day. 3.26, 3.29, 3.34, 3.38, 3.48, 3.48, 3.45, 3.52, 3.51, 3.47, 3.56
A few photos from the day.

Its never pretty, but happy to finish with a 41 minute run.

Stunning morning in Shire Town, with Birchy, Laura and Crossy Lad.

It may have been 22 degrees but Crossy Lad still feels the cold and needed his coat.

#1 supporter for the day Wol even supplied the post race beers - top man.

Selfie time with the locals - Laura and hubby to be Wol.

Todays stats, being in a new age group does have its advantages I suppose.

Cheers