First race in higher category

I raced for the first time as a category 3 cyclocross racer yesterday after upgrading. Longer races and better riders. I was racing with one or two other guys who upgraded with me and a fellow jock (Ross) who I have raced with on the mountain bike.

The course was at Seatc which I know very well. It was a tough course with 2 run ups and a sand pit which really drains the legs. On the start line, I was three rows back as I had no seeding having only raced cat 4 previously. I had a poor start and lost places if anything, and was probably 20 back when we hit the singletrack, but soon made up time and worked my way through the field. I found myself conserving a fair bit though, to save energy for the sharp climbs and the sand. I made some places up on the long run up known as the "thigh master", although I lost some time when I had to jump off and sort out my rear brake which stuck under the rim after a re-mount. I ended up in 6th after catching 2 guys on the last run-up before the finish. Not bad for my first cat 3 race. Hopefully next time, I'll be further up at the start.