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Not Quite Four Laps
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Sat 11.07.15
W/U, GV Ryan IMC 1500 'C' (4.12.96), W/D
I was very confident going in to this race. I hadn't ran any mind blowing sessions or anything but I was feeling generally strong on the faster stuff and very fresh on my easy runs. Of course, as the race time drew nearer and nearer, I started to question this but still I lined up and felt a PB was on the cards big time.
The wind was strong in the home straight so this changed my tactics a little bit. I was going to have to sit in with the pacer for the first two laps and then hopefully pick it up for the last two. I lined up on the inside line. I got a good start, maybe too good and myself and the guy in lane two had to slow a little as we reached the first bend to allow the pacer to take over. Nobody wanted to battle in to that wind on their own. Everybody tucked in on the home straight to one long line and I was in 3rd or 4th possibly. Always find it difficult to recollect the exact details. Coming in to the second lap and I was not feeling good. The legs were feeling heavy and I was overtaken by one or maybe two runners. Knew I just had to dig in on this lap so concentrated on maintaining the metre or two gap to the group ahead and just battled on. First lap was called at 64 for the pacer and 66 for me. Maintained the gap but it was a struggle and it was a slow lap as I went through 800 in 2.14, so a 68s lap. Now, I started to come round a bit so closed the gap on the group ahead to settle in. Might have passed some people on this lap, not sure, but I was moving well and got in to 4th or 5th position at the bell. The eventual winner had opened up a bit of a gap at this stage and would not be caught. Second place was for the taking and I made my move on the back straight, going by either one or two people to settle on the second place runner's shoulder coming round the bend in to the home straight. Thought crossed my mind to stick on his shoulder for a while and keep out of the wind but my momentum coming round the bend took me past him so I just ploughed on. It was a real wall of wind now and it felt like I was at nothing sprinting in to it. Maintained my position though and had a good second on third place in the end.
Overall, I wasn't completely satisfied with the race. A PB was definitely on if I had dug in a little better on the second lap and looked to make places rather than maintain. Still, I feel running a 4.12 and not being completely satisfied with my race is a huge sign of progress. Recovered a lot quicker after this race than the IMC in Leixlip and pretty much decided there and then that I'll give it another shot during the week in the Graded and if that doesn't go to plan, there is always the National League 4 days later
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Sun 12.07.15
10.7 @ 7.00/mi
Got out early enough as I was heading down to Thurles for the Munster Final. Headed from Blackrock down through Sandymount and on to Sean Moore Park for a few laps before heading back. Expected to see Moorsey relentlessly running laps of the fields as I'm pretty sure he does that 24 hours a day. He must have changed venue though because he definitely hasn't stopped running
No aches or pains from the previous days racing so happy days.0 -
KielyUnusual wrote: »Sun 12.07.15
10.7 @ 7.00/mi
Got out early enough as I was heading down to Thurles for the Munster Final. Headed from Blackrock down through Sandymount and on to Sean Moore Park for a few laps before heading back. Expected to see Moorsey relentlessly running laps of the fields as I'm pretty sure he does that 24 hours a day. He must have changed venue though because he definitely hasn't stopped running
No aches or pains from the previous days racing so happy days.
I was in the tent at the side of the pitches
Didn't get to SM park til 9 45 so ya must have been seriously early! 0 -
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Chivito550 wrote: »Savage run. 4:07 by my watch.
Cheers chivito. Yea, I think more or less 4.07 on the dot. I had about 2/10ths under and stopped it a little after the line, which usually means you can add on about the same. The electronic timing was broken so I'll never know for sure but delighted with it anyway. Absolutely perfect conditions with barley a breath of wind and the standard was spot on so it was all set up for a good time. Delighted, I took advantage 0 -
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That's what I've been telling people about my marathon pb :P
All joking aside though, 7 seconds is really impressive over that distance. Would you envisage yourself going under 4 minutes maybe next year or further in the future?
Goal for this year was to try and hit sub 4.05 and then next year go for the sub 4. Ultimate goal is to make the final of the Nationals over the next few years, which would likely require at least sub 3.55 so that's the stretch one. 0 -
Mon 13.07.15
5.3 @ 7.03/mi
Walked out of the office and was smothered in what felt like a warm. wet blanket. It was sickeningly humid so I took it very handy but even at that the sweat was pouring off of me. Really don't like this type of wetter. Always reminds me of Darwin in Australia, which is without doubt the worst place I have ever been to in my life.
Tue 14.07.15
Rest
Was going to go out for a mile or two and a few strides but I was wrecked tires so decided to just give it a miss. Smart call in the end I think
Wed 15.07.15
W/U, Dublin Graded 1500m 'A' (4.07), W/D
I had been in two minds about running this race as I am committed to running in the National League on Sunday and thought three races in 8 days might just be a tad too much. Decided I would let the weather forecast decide and when I saw the good conditions predicted on Tuesday, I signed up online and committed to it.
Arrived at the track at around seven, which would have been fine if the meet ran in time but it was closer to half nine than half eight when the race went off so it meant a lot of waiting around. In fairness this was due to the busiest night at the Graded that I had ever seen. Huge entries in all the distances and a great atmosphere at the place.
The 'A' grade in the 1500 was to be run in too races and they had graded the 2 races somewhat to include most of the faster PBs in the second race. I was in the first race with a clubmate and one or two other heads that I recognised from over the summer. Clubmate had run in the first graded of the season and this was his second race since. He was aiming for 4.10ish as well but I really didn't know what kind of form he was in.
Felt a bit iffy on the strides warming up but nothing too unusual so I lined up for the race feeling reasonably confident. No great time lapse between us lining up and the gun so it was straight in to it. Legged it at the start but it was a really quick start and had to sprint it out for the first 50m to get a good position. Still, some feckers got around me and I was in about 5th position hitting the first bend. I felt comfortable but I also sensed that the pace was quick so just tried to stay as relaxed as possible and conserve energy. Not much positional changes in the first lap and was shocked as we came round for the first lap to hear 61, 62, 63 and only just reach 64 as I passed. Wow, a 64 second first lap and I felt comfortable. Had not anticipated that.
Second lap and I was still feeling comfortable as we came back on to the home straight again. Too comfortable. I needed to make a move here. Just then, GM Sportsworld flew past my shoulder and I decided to go with him. One of the lads ahead of me made a move too and I got ready to join me. He moved out but then stopped. I had upped the pace to follow him but then had to put on the brakes. He had made the group ahead three wide and I didn't want to take them at the bend, making me run a lot of extra track. I tucked back in.
Second lap was called and it was 2,12. A 68 second second lap. I was pissed off and made a burst around the lads and headed off after GM and the other two up ahead. I was working now, which was good but I felt strong, which was also good. I was slowly reeling them in and when we hit the bell I thought I would catch up on them. Was still reeling them in on the back straight but then they kicked on near the bend and I just didn't have that extra kick to catch up with them. Still, there was a Rathfarnam runner left behind so I legged it as fast as I could on the home straight. I was reeling him in but very slowly and didn't think I'd have enough track to catch him. Still with 20-30 metres to go, I really gritted the teeth and closed the remiander of the gap before just pipping him at the line for I think fourth place, possibly third. Looked at the watch for 4.06.84. Couldn't believe it. Really thought I'd left a time like that behind after the second lap. I'm getting better at the hand timing but its still probably worth a low 4.07 or a very high 4.06 at best. The electronic timing system never recorded I was informed after, so I'll never know for sure but its all immaterial I guess (Its not though really :P).
Well, it was definitely worth showing up anyway....
Thu 17.07.15
5.3 @ 6.59/mi
Got out for an easy run t lunch. First time that I've been genuinely cold on run in a long time. That mixed with the rain means the nips are the a ittle sensitive this evening but these are the prices we pay.0 -
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Chivito550 wrote: »Would you be tempted to jump into the 800 at the last graded? You've gotta get one 800 in, particularly when in such good form.
Yea, I'd love to run an 800 before the end of the season but if we do pull a team together for the DMR, then I will do that instead.
Good chance I'll be doubling up in the National League tomorrow given current numbers so maybe an 8/15 double might be on the cards 0 -
Fri 17.07.15
5.3 @ 6.39/mi
If you could bottle up and sell the feeling of doing a run like this, then you'd make a lot of money. Left work a little early to nip in a quick run. The pace just kept on getting quicker and quicker with the last mile at 6 minute pace or so and just felt so natural and easy. Really enjoyed that
Sat 18.07.15
Rest
Sun 19.07.15
W/U, National League 2nd Round 1500m (5th Place & 4.21), W/D
Was glad to represent the Cru in the National League because the opportunities to get in some 1500 races before the end of the season are getting thin on the ground. Got a lift down with a clubmate and we were down there well early. All clubs have to nominate 2 officials for the day so since I would be hanging around a bit, I volunteered at the long jump and was official measurer for the event. Adam M from the club was jumping and it was a pleasure to see such a proper athlete up close. Jumped 7.6x in the end I think and it was a sight to behold from just a few feet away. Nice way to pass an hour or two.
There were two 1500 racesand as we were in the Premier Division, so I assumed our race would be second. I was surprised when we were called up first and didn't get a chance to get in a few strides but no big deal really. At the gun, there was a quick start as usual but then a 100m, the brakes were put on and we slowed right round. I felt uncomfortable and very restricted at the back of the lead group but I didn't want to take it on either so just stuck in my position. This continued on for the rest of the lap, which we hit in 72 seconds I think. There were a few little surges in the second lap but more of the same as a whole and the second lap was called at 2.22, I think. I was waiting for the move but was caught off guard when the four lads in the group sprinted off as they hit bend coming round to the home straight. They made a good few metres before I even realised and when I did pick up the pace, they were still moving away. They were a different class really. One runner did drop off as well but he was a guest runner so I didn't really make any effort and just brought it home. Fourth place for the team and given the standard of the top three, it was where I was always going to finish. Felt quite tired during the race so I think I would have been off the pace in any race situation. Probably just one race too many for the week,
Its still a bit up in the air but looks like we may have made the final, which would be great because its probably the last chance to get a 1500 in before the end of season. I won't be getting involved in a slow, tactical affair there
Mon 23.07.15
4.8 @ 6.52/mi
Lunch run
Tue 24.07.15
W/U, 4 X 600 (w/ 3 min rec.), W/D
Tmes: 95, 97, 101, DNF
Finally, a track session, almost a year and a half after my last one. It was great to be back. Session was 4 X 600 at 1500m pace. Was aiming for 98ish, based on my 1500 PB but just went by effort and hoped for the best. Was joined by R+ but he's just back from a short layoff so he backed off after the first one, which was too quick anyway and I could feel it in the legs for the last 100m. Second one was bang on target but the effort was too high and at this stage I was worried about not finishing. Still, I got the third one in and I was really struggling from half way in but just kept turning over to finish in a not too bad split of 101. My legs were like jelly though and I contemplated dropping the last one but just continued on hoping for a dramatic recovery. First 100 of this was OK but by haflway, my form was all over the place and I could barely lift my legs so I just pulled up. Bit disappointing but a combinatio of all the races last week and hitting the first one two quick, made this inevitable. Used to be good at working my way in to a session and need to get back to that way of thinking.
Wed 22.07.15
5.3 @ 6.52/mi
Another handy one at lunch.0 -
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