4th place in 1st solo 4hr

The goal going into this race was to simply finish on the bike, still peddling.
Once at the race I secretly had the goal to beat Vinno and his mate in the pairs.
I started the first lap very conservatively and felt good. I started pushing a bit harder on the 2nd lap and knocked out 4 pretty fast laps - the whole time telling myself to slow down because I'd pay for it later. I was feeling strong and didn't want to hold back. On the 2nd or 3rd lap I dropped a project 63 rider I recognised from the Chocolate Foot 8hr races - one who is regularly on the podium. I knew I couldn't maintain this pace and started to slow down from the 6th lap on.
Lap 9 all the early effort caught up with me and I started cramping pretty bad. Mr Project 63 caught back up and we rode together for a while - until his rear wheel fell out while walking up the rock garden. He dropped me up the fireroad and thats the last I saw of him.
Starting lap 10 I was feeling good knowing it was my last lap. But then the cramps hit with a vengance. I was off the bike with both legs cramped and locked up. A minute of stretching helped a little but I was gone. I managed to ride the whole lap still and eventually come good in the back half.
Mr Project beat me by 2 minutes to take 3rd place, I came in 4th.
I was really happy with my race, I did go too hard early but it was fun and I finished on the bike, still peddling and in a much better position than I though possible.
Thanks to WSMTB and all the organisers and marshalls.