Rocked up to see myself in the B Race, AthleticsNSW having split the competitors into 4 races. The A race was basically Australian representatives whilst the B Race was recent ex-Australian representatives and some gifted juniors. Plus me. The C race was the people I normally run against.
It was hot. I was sweating just sitting on the train to get out there. Not only that but the wind had picked up and was strong coming around the 200m bend. Having said that, I was protected for most of the way from the wind by tucking behind a good group I was running with and actually found it a bit of a relief to step out into it every now and then to cool down.
Did a bit of a warm up (not that that was necessary) with Ray before nervously heading over the the start line. Saw Keith Bateman, Paul Arthur, the Tiger and others flying around in the C Race and thought what the hell am I doing in the B Race lining up with the likes of the Shepster (see comments of 2 days ago), Nick Cope, Caleb Wegener, Liam Ridings et al, all sub-15 runners. Quick chat with DrJH and Truscott before picking up my lane number (no.13, which about summed it up) and we were on the start line. Waited for what felt like an eternity before we were off. I settled into a comfortable position (last) but at least I was running right on the inside of the track. All I could think of during the first km was that it was typical that the one race Kirst comes to see me run, I'm going to finish last.
Actually felt pretty comfortable for the first km going through in 3:04 so pushed ahead of the small group of 3 I was in to catch the next group which comprised Chamkaur, DrJH and Brad White(?). We were running well as a group - stretching out with the wind then feeling as though I was treading on their heels while tucked in behind going into it. At 2km I was starting to feel as though this race was going on forever, the heat just seemed to sap all bounce from your legs. Then at 2.2km DrJH just stepped off the track. I couldn't believe it! How could he do that? It's almost un-Australian. Then as soon as he did it, I wanted to do it! Really struggled then as I'd lost my game plan and all these negative thoughts were running through my head. It was just like Lane Cove in November when all the boys told me 2 minutes before the race that Durante wasn't showing up! However, just dug in, got to 2.5km and thought, ok, halfway. Just count the number of metres I've run. 3km in 9:22. I got so involved in working out whether I was at 3400m or 3800m that suddenly I realised I only had 3 laps to go. Looked up and we seemed to be getting closer to a few of the runners ahead. Then at 3.8km, or was it 4.2km, don't know, Truscott suddenly seems as though he's only 30m ahead but then he too steps off the track! What's going on? I'll take that as a win I thought.
2 laps to go and people are being chewed off and spat out left right and centre. Caught 3 more over the final 2 laps, including Earl O'Brien (winner of my State 3km race in November) to finish in 15:39. Pleased with the time in the conditions. More pleased just to have completed finishing relatively strongly. Things are on track. Dad's PB remains for another day.
Great to watch the A Race. Steve put in a really gutsy performance to finish 6th in 14:20. I reckon he would have been close to 14:00 in good conditions. Amazing performance by Nipperess to outkick Jeff Hunt for the win (beating the likes of Tim Rowe and Westcott). He's really stepped up. If you look at my post on April 29, 2007, you'll see a picture of me leading Nipper half way through the Novice X-Country (he's the one in the St George red and white singlet on the right). That's how much he's improved.
Good to catch up with Timmy L, Tucks (and Nia!), Flakey and the others afterwards and thanks for the shouts. Timmy should have some splits to input tomorrow.
http://www.nswathletics.org.au/answ/live/
It was hot. I was sweating just sitting on the train to get out there. Not only that but the wind had picked up and was strong coming around the 200m bend. Having said that, I was protected for most of the way from the wind by tucking behind a good group I was running with and actually found it a bit of a relief to step out into it every now and then to cool down.
Did a bit of a warm up (not that that was necessary) with Ray before nervously heading over the the start line. Saw Keith Bateman, Paul Arthur, the Tiger and others flying around in the C Race and thought what the hell am I doing in the B Race lining up with the likes of the Shepster (see comments of 2 days ago), Nick Cope, Caleb Wegener, Liam Ridings et al, all sub-15 runners. Quick chat with DrJH and Truscott before picking up my lane number (no.13, which about summed it up) and we were on the start line. Waited for what felt like an eternity before we were off. I settled into a comfortable position (last) but at least I was running right on the inside of the track. All I could think of during the first km was that it was typical that the one race Kirst comes to see me run, I'm going to finish last.
Actually felt pretty comfortable for the first km going through in 3:04 so pushed ahead of the small group of 3 I was in to catch the next group which comprised Chamkaur, DrJH and Brad White(?). We were running well as a group - stretching out with the wind then feeling as though I was treading on their heels while tucked in behind going into it. At 2km I was starting to feel as though this race was going on forever, the heat just seemed to sap all bounce from your legs. Then at 2.2km DrJH just stepped off the track. I couldn't believe it! How could he do that? It's almost un-Australian. Then as soon as he did it, I wanted to do it! Really struggled then as I'd lost my game plan and all these negative thoughts were running through my head. It was just like Lane Cove in November when all the boys told me 2 minutes before the race that Durante wasn't showing up! However, just dug in, got to 2.5km and thought, ok, halfway. Just count the number of metres I've run. 3km in 9:22. I got so involved in working out whether I was at 3400m or 3800m that suddenly I realised I only had 3 laps to go. Looked up and we seemed to be getting closer to a few of the runners ahead. Then at 3.8km, or was it 4.2km, don't know, Truscott suddenly seems as though he's only 30m ahead but then he too steps off the track! What's going on? I'll take that as a win I thought.
2 laps to go and people are being chewed off and spat out left right and centre. Caught 3 more over the final 2 laps, including Earl O'Brien (winner of my State 3km race in November) to finish in 15:39. Pleased with the time in the conditions. More pleased just to have completed finishing relatively strongly. Things are on track. Dad's PB remains for another day.
Great to watch the A Race. Steve put in a really gutsy performance to finish 6th in 14:20. I reckon he would have been close to 14:00 in good conditions. Amazing performance by Nipperess to outkick Jeff Hunt for the win (beating the likes of Tim Rowe and Westcott). He's really stepped up. If you look at my post on April 29, 2007, you'll see a picture of me leading Nipper half way through the Novice X-Country (he's the one in the St George red and white singlet on the right). That's how much he's improved.
Good to catch up with Timmy L, Tucks (and Nia!), Flakey and the others afterwards and thanks for the shouts. Timmy should have some splits to input tomorrow.
http://www.nswathletics.org.au/answ/live/
Just uploaded the splits. Looks like my km times went 3:05, 3:05; 3:10; 3:12; 3:07
10 comments:
Great run Tom. Just reading the account I could feel the heat and felt for you having to run in it.
Too bad that you didn't beat Dad's record but it will fall soon.
A very pleasant 2°C here - sure that would have helped you to beat the objective.
Not looking forward to the 10km race at the weekend - too stressed !
Just looked up McMillan and compared your 3000m time and what can be expected as a comparative performance.
You should manage 15:26 for 5km and a 2:30 Marathon !!
These should now be your objectives for this year. The 5km looks feasible. We'll discuss the marathon time after GCM !
I'd hate for you to miss my wondrous summation so i've copied it here for you:-
Truthy says,
crap tipping Tiger, i've been told to trust your form as gospel...why didn't you factor in hunt and nipper having a smoko on the back while rowe crazily worked himself to a stand still in front?
your hot tip shepherd was hiding in the B race, i saw you cheering like a bitch on heat for him...is it love?
wrong by 30 sec on cope and wegener
the only thing truscott was kicking with 200m to go was his drink bottle...dnf
highnam, wrong again by 15sec, clearly a 3km specialist.
durante dns
good to see you take the soft option and roll out a 5km when your actual race distance 800m was on the program. from 3rd last/16th with 1km to go and 9th at the finish. i bet you wish someone woke you up before the bell, nice last lap bludger!
tamsett wrong by 38sec, your worst tip of the night
i'll actually congratulate you on the wyss tip though, she did work her way through the field nicely
i look forward to your next form guide, hopefully it improves and your form will be better than your running
My top ten:-
Run of the night - Matt Hammond - Champion
2nd best run - Jeremy Roff - lookout
3rd - Nipperess - young and smart, that's an unusual combo
4th - Rowe - silly but tough as nuts and talent to burn
5th - Tamsett - dominant win over a world xc rep
6th - Hunt - smart
7th - Kiwi 800 girl - sweet mover
8th - Summers - young and improving rapidly
9th - Westcott - big balls!!!
10th - Vernon - fought the whole way
truthy out
Good Post Tom!
You must have been taking notes to remember that amount of detail.
A 27 sec PB in those conditions speaks volumes - Take the DNF's as scalps!
good effort. i was thinking of you whilst i was sweating, sitting on the lounge watching tv and drinking a beer. must have been hard work.
Cheers all and like the post Truthy. Great summation of the way Hunt and Nipperess ran the race - at times Westcott looked like he was killing himself trying to drop them. Hope the State 10km is equally as hot - step off there and questions will be asked.
Great run Tom. Good consistent lap times. Moved your way through the pack and managed to pass a few runners for a great PB.
Great run Tom in tough conditions.
I keep getting slaughtered on your blog Tom. I love it, it's the only blog i regularly read.
Hard to argue with Truthy's synopsis. I nearly agree with the order of your top ten too, except i think Timmy's ranking above Hunt and Tamsett was generous although i appreciate your thought process. I had a good battle with Shepherd 2 or 3 years back in the State 3000m. It's great to see his improvement, i was really hoping he'd crack 15min, it's not love just respect.
In hindsight Tom, you were probably right about Ray, i remember seeing him up ahead grabbing a drink, i was thinking it'd be fairly humiliating to finish behind someone stopping for drinks.
Well done again to you Tom, possibly the 11th best run of the night. It's funny that the fear of finishing at the tail drove us both to pb's, much better than the step off the track alternative. Enjoy the holiday, see you when you get back.
woops that was me,
Tiger
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