Battle was resumed over the next three days, starting with the Middle Distance champs at Avoca. This was my first foray into my new age group, W55AS. There are usually only 7-8 competitors, all like me, slower and not so agile. I know a few of them as they’ve moved up with me, but some are new faces, so I was interested to see where I would slot in.

It wasn’t a great start – I stood in the start triangle staring at my compass, trying to work out why it was telling me to go backwards. I had a complete brain fade and spent at least a minute trying to puzzle it out, while everyone else set off confidently down the hillside. Very strange what the mind will do – I’ve done this hundreds of times and never had this problem before. After a mental slap I finally got going, down across a small gully to my cliff. I soon realised the rock was undermapped. I progressed steadily and pretty accurately, with hesitation in some places. The last section was quite straightforward and I started to pick up the pace – until I got to no 11. It was supposed to be on the edge of a small clearing, and very close to no 10. I went carefully in what I thought was the right direction, but was too low. I noticed several others also hunting around for it. When I couldn’t find it, I went back to no 10 and started again, but with the same result. Finally I went up a bit higher and found the flag, not at all where I expected it to be. It was a waste of 5 or 6 minutes. The washup was that I was 5^th, but only 3 minutes slower than second – a gap I would have easily breached had I not made that error. Frustrating – but at least I wasn’t out of the mix. It also told me that my opposition could not be considered fierce. If I keep up a steady pace, jog a bit when I get the chance, and NOT MAKE ERRORS! I should be fine.

We drove on to Bicheno, on the east coast, via Fingal and St Marys. We’re staying in an old beachside cottage, two storeys, with expansive views from the kitchen/lounge, and a lovely balcony. The bedrooms and bathrooms are quite average but comfortable, and we can gaze at Diamond Island as we wash the dishes. We had a small furry visitor on the front lawn – a bandicoot. We watched him foraging for a while till he scuttled into the garden. Unfortunately he wouldn’t stay still long enough for a photo.

Next day’s event was at Swansea, 45 minutes south. The first race was the Schools Relay between Australia and New Zealand, and Asha was running anchor leg for Australia’s senior girls team. It was a very long and steep trudge from the car park to the arena, and all the food and toilets were down the bottom. The arena was on a very open slope so we had great views. It was a cacophony of yelling and cowbell ringing every time someone ran up the finish chute. Sadly, NZ beat Australia solidly. Ah well.

The sun came out blazing around midday, and it was our turn. The terrain was generally open, scattered trees, and lots of small rocky outcrops – my favourite, as I can run, and you can see the contours clearly. Out of the start triangle it was straight uphill for several contours, and I was stuffed by the time I got to no 1! I messed up no 2, not going far enough before looking for my control, on one of many low cliffs scattered across a hillside. I lost about 5 minutes again. Having finally found it, I pressed on, heading up to the top of an open ridge. As I crossed the top, I stopped and gasped. The view of the ocean was glorious! Either side of me, other competitors had stopped as well, just for a couple of seconds to catch their breath and take in the panorama. Then it was on down the hill, through a couple more controls before heading back towards the finish. I didn’t make any more mistakes, but I had to slow right down to contour across a steep rock strewn hillside. It was straightforward from there. I was pretty happy to finish third, my best result so far, and my error hadn’t cost me a place as first and second were well in front of me.

The heat was a struggle for everyone. The mornings are cloudy and cool, then the sun breaks through, and the temperature climbs. All our starts have been in the afternoon so we have late finishes, and sunburn is rampant.

Our third consecutive day of racing had us heading for Coles Bay. Overnight rain had cooled the temperature but raised the humidity levels. The terrain was a complete contrast – completely tree covered, sandy scrub, and lots of bracken. It was going to be much slower. We heard tales of woe from earlier competitors who said the vegetation was thick everywhere. I wasn’t looking forward to it. When I picked up my map I got a real surprise – my course just pinballed either side of the main access track. I was going to be able to complete most of it by running the track and dipping in occasionally to pick up each control. It was more like a sprint – 15 controls in 2 kms. I checked the map several times to make sure I had the right one – it looked like the kids course. I can’t say I was sorry, as the alternative would have meant spending a long time bush bashing through bracken. I made no errors to speak of (and it would have been embarrassing if I had) and was third again, but much closer to the first two this time. Pete was also third, but his course was much harder than mine. Lanita had her first win for the week, so it was a happy household.