Noosa 10k - 24th out of 670 in 35:30 (PB) Out 17:49, Back 17:41
Trained poorly at PCRG on Friday prior to this race but figured that with my base, a good prep over the following 48hrs and a fast course, I could still give my PB a shake. Besides, having a poor last speedwork session before a big race is almost a good omen for me as I've done it several times before a PB race!! And have a good prep I did, having dinner at home at 6pm before driving up to Noosa the night before with Adam to join MJ, Chelle and Michelle W at our accommodation a short walk from the start.
Enjoyed a sleep in and arrived at the race precinct in time to watch the leading half marathoners finish before commencing my warm up. Luckily, I'm not too superstitious as I had left my racing headband at home. The gun went and we were away and the plan was to go out in 3:31's and come back in 3:29's. The first k went a little too quick in 3:21 but then I settled down with 3:33 and 3:35 going through 3k in 10:29. My younger brother Adam, in his 10k debut was running boldly alongside me!! My legs felt tired but rarely has my breathing been so comfortable during a race. A pack of four soon settled together consisting of myself, Adam, a male runner and second place female, Leisa Smith. I was doing most of the work in front with Adam and the other bloke either side of me and Leisa quitely tucked in behind us.
The pack reached the 5k hairpin together in 17:49, 14 seconds behind my target of 17:35 with yours truly still half a step in front. At this point, I sneakily slowed down a little more than necessary for the hairpin slightly baulking the pack behind me and then accelerated hard out of the hairpin, quickly putting five, then 10 metres on the pack. Focusing hard on my plan for a negative split return leg, I proceeded to reel off the 6th k in 3:27 breaking clear of the pack and reeling in some rivals in front of me along the way. The legs were really starting to hurt now but I was still breathing comfortably and overtaking at least two or three runners each kilometre, concentrating hard on reeling them in. Realised at 8k that although the Sub 35 was just out of reach, a PB was still on the cards and gritted my teeth to keep pushing my beat up legs through the pain barrier!! A fair last k of 3:28 followed and I had my negative split, coming home in 17:41 for a five second PB of 35:30, absolutely smashed....is there any other way?
I'll take a bit out of this race, mainly the knowledge that Sub 35 is not far away - just a matter of trying to freshen up the legs, maintain fitness and put it together on the day.
Adam ran a mighty 10k debut - 35:58 on a program of 2 x PCRG speed sessions per week and 8 x intense 40min rides to and from work. Perhaps there's something the rest of us can learn from that?
Splits are as follows although the 8k and 9k markers may have been out:
3:21
3:33
3:35 - 10:29
3:35
3:43 - 17:49
3:27
3:37
3:23 ???
3:45 ???
3:28 - 35:30
