Just wondering

i'd go for breton for the increased mana pool, bonuses to restoration and alchemy, 50% magic resist and a 50 point shield once a day. spells tend to level slower than weapons/armour so the higher they are at the start the better. you will have strength/encumberance issues at the start of the game, but they'll be a distant memory soon enough, while the increased mana, 50% resist magic will be with you til the end of the game

Could go with an Orc if you want to go heavy melee focus or an Imperial if you want to be an all around Crusader (mixing magic, melee, and alchemy/armorer).