From minutes to miles

laura_ac3 wrote: »

Tuesday 30th: Raheny Shamrocks Lord Mayor Series Round 3: 2 miles

I'd heard good things about these races hosted by Raheny but couldn't make the winter ones due to football on Wednesdays. After HelenAnne had told me the summer ones were a Tuesday I was determined to head down. 2 mile warm up jog to the clubhouse to register - despite the fact I'm from nearby and have spent much much time in Raheny in my life, I never knew where the clubhouse was. Did another 1 mile recce of the course, with some strides and met a couple of people. The OH had come along to watch so I saw him, met Mrs Mc from around here, a quick chat with her, lined up towards the back and we were off with no fuss. I felt myself haring off so slowed down and let one big group pull away. I settled in with a few around me, just on the shoulder of one girl. She seemed to be breathing heavier than me and I still felt I was going a bit too hot so let her move off, but I was hoping I'd see her again. I didn't know what to expect from this. I was hoping for 15:xx but my main aim was to have a stronger finish than I felt I had in recent races and not go out too fast. But I know in such a short distance you should be going at a good pelt from the off so I wanted to try get that balance and I had hoped the good warm up would have helped with that. About a half mile in I got a stitch again - I don't think these evening races agree with me :rolleyes: Not too bad though and I saw on the watch my pace had slowed to nearly 8 m/m. Myself, my shoulder friend and one man were close enough together for most of the first mile with me at the back. Going around the last turn before heading to the halfway mark I went past the two of them and went out in front. Neither of them came back but I wasn't sure if there biding their time. Got a shout out from the OH and the first mile beeped at 8:01. The lady calling the times called 7:57 as I went past her so I was in or around where I needed to be.

Starting the second lap I was quite isolated. Neither of my first lap crowd seemed alongside me and the only person anywhere near up ahead was a good bit away. I concentrated on myself (breathing, does anything hurt, ah sure less than a mile, it'll be over soon) and slowly but surely I noticed I was closing on her. The start of the mile is a long enough stretch so by the time it ended and we took the first turn to start the loop around I felt I had caught up enough to make overtaking a reasonable prospect. I tried not to burst up but trust that I was ticking slightly faster to be confident of a gradual movement. I could see a person shadow from the sun behind (no, not mine - another one ) so I knew someone was close behind me. I glanced once to see if it was either of my previous companions but I couldn't tell. I tried to pick it up a small bit to shake them off if it was someone working to overtake me. Coming near the last bend somewhere (a bit before, I think, it's a blur) I went past my target. I wanted to pick it up for the finish but I wasn't sure of how soon to go. Had pulled away a bit here and got some good shout outs here of encouragement from strangers and one person I knew. I was closing in on the finish when all of a sudden I hear a supporter on the sideline say "go on X, you can catch her" or something to that effect. There was a moment of brain freeze before I realised I was the target again and I was being closed on in the chase. I must have had a wild look of panic on my face as I glanced over my shoulder to see where she was (I heard the OH actually laugh as he saw and heard the penny drop quite loudly in my head). I tried to get the burners on as I encouraged myself with a "she's not catching me". In fact there may have been an expletive in there. All obviously directed completely at myself like a loon. Over the finish line, a moment to compose myself before making sure I turned to find my chaser and congratulate her on the race and share one or two words. Second mile was 7:50. Caught Mrs Mc crossing the line shortly after before doing another 1 mile cool down and up to the clubhouse for a quick cuppa and a chat before heading home to throw the dinner I'd already made (polishes halo) in the microwave. Great evening out for a a bargain of E7 and I can't wait to go again Garmin came in at 15:52 in the end, just waiting on the website to update before getting an official result but shouldn't be too far off that hopefully. 6 miles total for the day. Edit: official time, 15:51.