Monthly Handicap at O'Connor Ridge

Today:
Distance: 8.0 km race plus warm up 4.25 km
Time: 38' 42"
Rate: 4' 50" per km
Finished: 57th
Weather: cloudy, warm, temp 20 degrees, humidity 30%, wind calm
Week: 57.65 km
Oct: 230.65 km
Year: 3896.05 km

After making the decision not to attempt C2K, I felt no need to run when there was no chance. Friday turned out to be a full day at work, extra work to cover for a driver assaulted by a couple of drop kicks at Woden hospital. Then Saturday morning which would have been long run day, shopping took priority then a bit of gardening, neglected over winter.
Today, monthly handicap over an undulating course behind Calvary hospital and over the ridges of O'Connor and Bruce. In form, this a great course, plenty of ups and downs without being too severe, not much flat so a real runners course.
Started out of group 37, not handicapped forward even though last month I finished 6th last. Happy with the start, didn't push too hard and stayed with the other group runners. Saw CJ in front nearing 2 km, she started 3 groups in front, about 90 seconds, but it took a while to catch her. She was cruising at good steady pace which was good.
Passed by some very good back markers on the up hill around 3 km mark, too strong and I was too slow. Ok after a bit of down to 4km then on the out section to the turn around, Ewen was on his way back. Didn't look like catching him. Strewth was behind also having turned, but obviously feeling the effects of the good life of a holiday maker in Europe for too many weeks.
Started to pass a few weary runners down to walking the hill and soon passed Strewth getting a tow up hill by Speedygeoff. Looked like cheating to me, may as well have put her on his back and carried her, but they were still slow. I won't tell anyone.
Not brilliant today, prior to today I was 6th in the overall points score, may not have gained too many but my low points are low. Couple of bad runs during winter. If I have a chance when points are updated, I will have a real go in November, may get another trophy. Otherwise, on the Saturday before, I may just go out for 30-40 kms as the first part of SFT. A well, might have Kelley to join the group for SFT, but I did tell her that the training is serious. No late Friday night before Saturday long run. But a few drinks during the week are allowed.
Ewen slower by 1 second than CJ in the run, must be that secret training she has been doing OR, double training by Ewen while on holidays has knocked the pace out of his legs.