The main thing is keeping the main thing, the main thing

John Tracey / Dungarvan 10m

Preamble: This race wasn't as built up in my head as last weeks - in fact, it was more of a nuisance. I had zero stress/apprehension about it, probably 'cos the weather would be $hit anyway. And anyway - everyone knew it was a harder course than the easy Trim 10m

A difficult nights sleep with Wifey coming home at 3am and Daughter#1 getting up for work at 5am meant sleep wasn't as good - but I knew that prior - so was ready for it.
Up at 7'ish - Breakfast was Porridge followed by coffee- followed by toast - followed by coffee - followed by the Bathroon Success.

Made it to Dungarvan in about 2hr 20min - inc a pit stop for more coffee and a danish and a loo break.
Found parking about 0.5m from the HQ and done a 2m warm up with some strides - into the pen about 15 mins to go and done some stretching. A hello to Adrian and a couple of former clubmates (Yes - I'm currently unattached) and we settle in.

Amble: As I was in the start pen, I seen a familiar face FQ - I formally of these parts who was pacing 60 mins - they hadn't advertised this, so it threw my race plan out the window about 1 min from the start!!

My original plan was to run my own race according to the wind - and hope to run a faster 2nd half - when the pacer showed up - I decided to follow him as I was sure he would have a pack with him.

We set off - a lap of the town to start. I recall feeling my lace was opened, but it was just lose, memories of my last time running here 6 years ago (also in prep for manchester) - when my lace opened.
The impact of having a pacer, meant I hardly looked at my watch - I just followed him. (timings from this race are from my Strava after the fact unless stated)

Mile 1: Lap of the town - felt a bit quick - 5.56

Mile 2: A bit uphill feeling here - the pace was 5.57 but felt harder - my 1st thoughts of not running with the pacer and letting him go - thought about dropping back - but didn't.

Mile 3: was on a dirt road - lots of potholes and dirt - breeze to the side - so pacer FQ upped the pace a tad and kept us going with him - still a great group with him.
5.51 - I was surprised he ran this quick but some of it was downhill.

Mile 4 & 5: we turned into the wind - this part I was prepared for - I was at the very back of the pack behind the biggest guys I could find.
Pace was lighter but the effort remained hard - this also had an uphill portion to it. I recall looking at the watch here and seeing a sub 6 time - I wasn't sure how many seconds we were up or down. 2 miles into the headwind had taken its toll as the group had split up terribly.
5.57 / 6.02

Mile 6. After mile 5 we turned - I expected the wind to cal down as it seemed like it was in our face since the start - but it was still a cross wind and a factor - a dowhnill here was very helpful to recover.
I recall turning a corner at 6.7m and the wind receding immediately - the conversation behind startedup and everyone felt in great spirits - gave us all a great lift.
M6: 5.55

Mile 7: I knew mile 7 was a severe downhill - so I used this to recover - relaxing the arms/hands
I recall as I approached mile 7 there was a lady calling out the time - 41.45 - this confused me slightly as I was thinking of Marathon paced terms 3 miles at 6.30= 19.30 left - so I was way behind - only after a few seconds did I realise I was within target and was 15 seconds up.
5.53

Mile 8: keep it going - I found myself right up at the pacer, I didn't look behind to see how many were there, it didn't seem like loads. But we kept going.
5.52 was a great return here as I was starting to suffer. 2 miles left I was saying. I could run 2 6.10's and still get sub 60 - this was a good relief to me knowing this.

Mile 9: We went uphill for a bit and onto the main road - this was it - keep with it - dont lag I was saying - I was on Franks shoulder at this stage. The breeze was non dis-crept here so I reckon it was behind me - but I didn't feel it. This mile was definitely uphill.
5.58 and fading

Mile 10: We ventured left and I felt the wind crop up again.
There was a clock at the 9 mile sign reading 53.30 - so I knew I could run the last mile at 6:30 pace and still get sub 60. I felt a massive relief here - until I noticed the pace drop off substantially as I was going uphill - my left quad was shouting at me at this stage - my Christ - come on - the last mile and I'm suffering - I look at the watch - the pacer has gone behind me to pick up others - its 6.10 for 'current lap' - moving to 6.15......6.17........ $hit - I could F$ck this up in the last mile I was thinking.
I pushed harder, it felt terrible - my quad was suffering - not screaming at me, but suffering- We seemed to crest a hill and then go down hill - I seen the time come back to me - 6.17 for mile 10..............6.10................6.05...............

before I knew it I was back on the open road about 400m from the finish line - I opened up a little and went for it as we turned the corner - I could see the clock. I could not believe it - I still cant.
5.50 for mile 10

Crossed the line at 59.27. 99th position and a 100 second PB!!

I NEVER thought I would break sub 60 for 10 miles. Never.
I thought I could go close, but I thought age would catch up with me and leave me short.

Delighted to earn this time - I texted my family saying that this was my best ever running performance - and I stand by that.

Post Amble: Funny Story:

I jogged back to the Sport Center - HQ - to get my top and a cup of coffee an a sambo - as I approached, a guy asked my was I the first.
I said yes - not understanding as no one was behind me.

I went to the loo and then went into the hall - to a round of applause from the volunteers there!! They thought I was the winner
I was a tad embarrassed and said no - I just won the race for the sambo's - jaysus - Morto!!

I had a big smile on my face all the way home - its a long drive but oh so worth it when things go right and when Spurs beat Man City on the radio and I was home for 2nd half. A great weekend.!!

Did I ever mention the day I went sub 60???

ariana` wrote: »

Loved reading that A and I'm delighted for you on that massive performance and matching result! Out of interest how much difference do you think running with the pacer/group made?

I meant to include a bit in the report on this - so thanks for the reminder.

There was a stage in the race I was really struggling in the group, about 4 miles in - it was a bit into the wind and uphill.
But I was more so struggling with the concept of being in a tight group - normally you'd move from group to group or get a bit isolated from time to time - but being in a group like this was really getting to me - I recall it also from a marathon I done in San Seb when I went with the pace group but left them after a while.

In this case (Dungarvan) - I was trying to re-frame it in my mind - to see it as a positive thing otherwise I'd have felt more comfortable out of the group and would probably have left the group.
So I began to think about the later miles, possibly struggling on my own vrs the security of the group. I noted the positives of being in the group due to the wind etc........

So once I became comfortable in the pace group - it was a saving grace, and I started to enjoy it - especially in the later stages when we were helping each other - encouraging etc.

Don't think I'd have broken 60 without it - I had my excuses with the breeze already at the start

Dont like that one Sean!! - 2.52!!

I put in last years 10m and 5m times prior to running 2.52 in Rotterdam and I get 2.56.


Damo - which Model did you get?

Thanks folks - I cant use the 'Quote' to reply function in work.........

Ariana & OFAR: yep - I've went 24m in training runs, never 26. And I might just keep it to 26 to mess with peoples OCD