Athough I am on the running scene for over 3 years now I still have a bit to learn on racing strategy and pacing etc. This 5k went a little better than last week`s and I was fairly happy - though the 2nd mile split was again poor. Maybe I am going off too fast..
Anyways this was my first time on the start line at the Novartis 5k in Ringaskiddy so I did a 2 mile warm up followed by some stretches and then some 3/4 sprints. I went from the finish line out to the 2 mile mark and back so I could see for myself the hill at the finish and where I should kick for home.
Off we go and I set off like a half scalded cat in the top 20 or so.
The field thins out and I end up running alongside some tall,
unstylish dude whose elbows are all over the place. There is a group
of 4 a few metres ahead so I push a bit more and I tag onto this group.
We pass the first mile in 5.40 (slightly downhill).
We are now racing uphill past the Pfizer Plant and this will continue untill we turn left to head for Shanagarry.
2 Runners come past but I say where I am as I am working hard - I
guess that if I stick with this group of 3 (one guy drops back - breathing hard) I will get over the uphill mile and can really push the last mile.
We turn left and hit the 2 mile marker in 12.00.
This comes as a shock to me - I guessed it would be 11.40 ish..
The group of 3 I was racing with were not going as fast as I thought, I should have pushed on harder..still I am racing well and I feel better that last week so lets keep it going..
We begin Mile 3 on a small country road and I pick up the pace a small bit, I am now running with just one other dude as the other guy has dropped back. Just then 2 guys go past and I don`t have the energy/mental strength to respond. I am thinking about the big hill on the last half mile and I get ready to at least hold my current position or try to gain a place or 2.
(I am proud of the fact that I habitually gain at least a place or 2 on the finish and if I do lose a place I am usually well pissed off)
I am now racing alone with 2 guys 5 meters ahead as we go downhill and turn a sharp left facing the finish hill - about 3 mins of racing left.
The fear of being passed again spurs me on and I am gaining on the guy in front, Half way up the hill I draw level and I keep pushing and go past the guy ("got you back for passing me earlier you langer").
I keep it going to the finish line and am happy with my last mile - I hit the clock in 18.42 - 7 seconds faster that last week....
Looks like a slow Mile 2 really cost me - I gotta push harder on this mile next time and then try to hang on for Mile 3.
Happy enough as its a hilly 5k and these races should bring me on a bit.
Very soild run Diarmaid. MY 5k PB of 18:39 was at Novartis 2 years ago with 5:45 at mile 1, 11:50 at mile 2 and I blew up before mile 3. You're certainly making up for the quite patch following the marathon.
ReplyDeleteJohn Quigley tells me someone is planning a 10k, half marathon and marathon for Clon on 12th December.