After a lot of racing in January my heart for short XC wasnt really there from the outset. However as the Nationals are always important for my club Belgrave we did a long drive to Donnington. With Alex injured it was left to me and a few others for the women’s team. Windy and very hilly although I like hills in races as it breaks down the speed and the bore of flat fields. We arrived in ample time very tired and took a snooze but didn’t realise time was creeping up and not being able to find the tent (turned out was in the changing facilities) I had less than 10 mins to the start and no warm up.
Anyone who knows me the toilet stop takes priority as I get very stressed before races. Couldn’t get into the grove as some few hundred lined up and found traction in my off roads were not enough in sections and regretted not having spikes. Ended up finishing around 20 places down on where I should have and also elbowed towards the finish line and in 33mins 52. Not my finest performance but still respectable.