North Lakes 10k

North Lakes 10k - 6th of 250 in 36:26 (17:41, 18:45)

Two weeks after my PB at Noosa, I entered the North Lakes 10k with a view to racing over 10k on three consecutive weekends to try and break 35 minutes before the road running season wound down.

The field was surprisingly competitive with triathlete Nicholas Hull lining up and sprinting away from the field in 32:58. I was hoping to run another slight negative split but was mindful that a few hills at the end of the course would make things tougher. Went through the 1st k in 3:22 as part of a three man group battling for third and forming a chase pack. Kept the pace up in the second k in 3:27 to stay in touch with the group but the legs were already feeling buggered at this point. Passed a cheering D Sweeney at 3k still in touch with the chase pack but starting to fall off the back. Approaching the halfway, my splits slipped to over 3:30's but I still clocked 17:41 for 5k which was eight second faster than Noosa.

The second half was a stuggle as my pace slipped to the 3:50's and I was passed three times. Managed a kick in the last 500m to pick up one place I had lost and finish 6th in 36:26 for my third fastest time ever after a disappointing 18:45 closing split.