Had been pretty nervous about this one, and felt very much so travelling out to Homebush. Nerves were eased after a quick chat with SilverFox and Tucks then headed out jogging the course with Kanser, MC and Durante. The course looked fantastic - nice and flat with long straights just to put your head down and run. Conditions were also perfect - cool and no wind.
Lined up next to Uncle Dave and Chris Truscott (pushing Chadi back into the second row, felt a bit guilty about that as he's a much better runner). Set off very quickly. I'd heeded Serg and Pete's advice and wanted to make a very positive start. Followed just behind Chadi in 3:02 for the first km. Wasn't feeling completely shot so was quite pleased. Missed the 2km mark and went through 3km in 9:33. At this point, Robbie Neale went past so I decided just to try to stick with him as I knew he would run well. This is basically how the rest of the race went. Felt good in parts, just tried to hang on in others but it was basically a good hard race, never at all comfortable. Robbie and I picked up others as we went so that for the last 3km there was a good group of five of us, including Mark Warren and Richie Roberts. 5km was reached in 16:09, 8km in 26:07 and 9km in 29:25. At that stage I was just hanging on. Even though we were all in a group I had nothing left for a sprint to try and pick up any more places.
Stoked with the race and the big PB (as well as knocking off another of Dad's PBs). A load of great performances out there. Keith and Fats running 33:20s (Fats will go quicker at North Head without a cold), Kanser back under 35, Uncle Dave back under 32 and SilverFox setting a very low-key PB!
Thanks for all the comments and encouragement. Amanda - sorry for very confused conversation! Not sure my brain was working probably on account of being so knackered.
I can now lock-in the Half at Gold Coast.
8 comments:
Great work mate. I admire the way you didn't let the injury stop you, but rather kept focused and motivated with your cross-training efforts. You may never be a swimmer, but it certainly didn't hurt you, and I'm glad that the work ethic behind it yielded a great result today.
Yours in the long run,
Dave
Agree with Uncle Dave's comments. All your hard work has paid off and going out hard was the way to go, today for you was like when Cerutty said the following to Herb Elliot before a big race .'there is a time when you've laboured so long and so hard that there is no looking back. Trample on anyone who tries to stop you'
Congratulations on the great run. You are right the last k was a bit soft. 3:12 with a kick. You really had nothing left. A good way to be.Half should be good, time for sub 70.
Congrats Tom
Well done Tom, what a great run. You may not have felt comfortable, but you certainly looked it out there today.
Well deserved. Not a surprise.
Now for sub-32.
PB
HI Tom,
Good to meet you before the race. I rememember that group of five heading back down the buslane the last time.
It was a real buzz seeing you guys flying,
cheers Plu
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