Owls Count

Even though I arrived in plenty of time I failed to warm up properly. The mass start ensured a fast early pace, even if I took most the way to the first control to get my map under control in the strong winds. The first few controls were about maintaining a good pace in the pack.

My first real problem came going out of 11, where the course gaffled. I just could not work out which direction I was meant to go and wasted 30 seconds sorting the problem out. Going out of eighteen, and under the M60, I followed a group who crossed the river. I was going with them until my brain realised that they must be on a different course, since my next control did not require crossing the river I had to quickly back track. Continuing from here my calf started to tighten and I struggled to maintain a good pace in the last part of the course.

Overall I am pleased with my run - I managed to remain navigating well even at a reasonably fast pace. The course offered a good challenge and a decent run around Stockport. A photo of me near the finish and my route - or at least some approximation of my route, as I cannot really remember where I went at some stages.