1st 10k race in a 3 race cross series east of Stuttgart. I'm using the series as a speed workout, one each month through the winter and as a mental break from the marathon training. The course was 2 laps of 5k on woodland trails, 1 short steep hill climb and 2 easier climbs per lap, total ascent about 330ft overall. I got caught up in a traffic jam heading into Stuttgart, I guess with xmas shoppers and I was twitching in the car as the race time got nearer and nearer. Arrived, couldn't park up and eventually found a woodland carpark 1/2k from the start. A quick rush to pick up my start number, get changed and straight to the start line without a warmup on a cold day, -1°C (30°F). I wasn't concentrated and felt I could have pushed myself harder, my finish was poor. I wanted a time under 39 mins which I failed to achieve. Not a good race, not a real bad race either but an average performance. It was icy underfoot in places and also narrow leading to frequent blocking but an interesting course. The timing was by a transponder that was strapped to your wrist that you swiped across a sensor board at the end. There was signs at the registration informing everyone to wear it on the right wrist. 2 mins before race start an official shouts through the megaphone for everyone to now put it on their left wrist. It was a comical moment as 261 runners suddenly had swop the transponder over, these things only happen in local races. | 