Off the Fence....and looking to go sub 3 hrs

FBOT01 wrote: »

26/01/2015 5m @ 09:00 avg pace (Recovery) plus 90mins Yoga/Pilates Class

Nice easy recovery run over to Yoga/Pilates Class. Great class with main focus on working out the hips...........just what the doctor ordered

tang1 wrote: »

Jaysis between yourself & P I'd say there isn't a grain of sand left in Dollymount!!!

tang1 wrote: »

Well done M, put one of the youngsters in your pocket, fair play.

FBOT01 wrote: »

Raheny 5

Offical Time | 30:02
Overall Position | 149th
Category (M45) Position | 5th

This should have been done last week. Logging it now for prosperity so I can look back next year, refresh the mind and ensure the lessons are learnt.

Love this race. Great way to start the year and always loads of familiar faces around before, during and after. Great organisation as usual and the goody bag remains legendary. Fairplay to all involved.

Target was to break 30 which is all likelihood would have meant a PB as my current 5m PB is 29:59 from Raheny 5 2015. When asked in the week before the race how I was fixed my take on it was that I was probably physical there or thereabout but wasn't sure if the mind was ready to embrace the pain to push the barrier........whether I called it right or just gave myself an out in advance I don't know but that's how it panned out on the day.

Lined up with Yaboya and had seen Duanington a half a dozen rows back. Knew both would be aiming for sub 30 and I had a view that D could go very close to 29 or even under it if he had a good day at the office. Also saw a guy from St Anne's parkrun that had similar target as me.

Mile 1 - 05:55

Tight start as usual. Decided to stick with Yaboya from the off to ensure I got my a$$ in gear quickly. Slotted into the back of the group ahead in anticipation of the wind that was going to hit us on the Howth Road. Ignored the watch and when someone called 06:03 at the mile mark I was happy that we were there or thereabouts.

Mile 2 - 05:49

Just before hitting the 1 mile mark Duanington came along on my outside. Decided to tag along with him for a while as I knew it would give me a good test and avoid any settling.

Mile 3 - 05:52

As we moved onto Mount Prospect, D seemed to up the gears. I went with him but within about half a mile I couldn't stick with it (turned out that it was probably more didn't than couldn't). Along here I passed within 200/300m of my house. The thought of an early shower did cross my mind but only very briefly. The gap started to open between D and I which lead to a loss of focus as I now longer had to target runner to chase.

Mile 4 - 06:04

Headed into the park and was struggling a little at this stage. Turned onto the Avenue and felt like I was getting a second wind....in reality looking at the splits I felt better because I was now running too slow. Expected Yaboya to pass along here somewhere but he didn't.

Mile 5 - 06:06

Started passing a few runners as we move towards the park exit. Mainly runners that had passed me in the previous mile. The guy from parkrun now joined me so I was now back in the game with someone to target. When he stepped on the path to cut each of the corners coming around the last green I was determined to ensure I crossed the line before him. Great shout out from the Boards support crew with 300 gave me the last push I needed. I rounded the last bend and powered down the finishing straight passing 3 runner and leaving the parkrun guy for dead. Strong finish just showed how I had let myself off to easy in mile 4 and 5. As Ferris would say showboating when it was all too little too late.

Another one to chalk up to experience. Nice cuppa and a catch up back in GAA Club. Some great performances and plenty of happy folk with PB in their bags to take home.