Training Log Archive: Craig

Event: WAMC Peninsula Run
 

Slow jog out to the bridge, then back a lot faster chatting to Ross Langford. Drills and strides to keep warm until the start.

WAMC Peninsula 10k. Achieved my goal of breaking 40, but only because the course was a bit short. I think the turnaround had been moved a bit closer to allow for the deviations around the stadium construction but the direct path along the river had been opened up again in time for the race. About 100m short by the GPS but it was probably more like 200m if you allow for a bit of GPS error crossing the bridge.

Usual fast first 200m out of the start then tried to settle down quickly into something close to 10k pace. Checked the pace coming onto the bridge and was only just under 4min/km so I was already thinking sub 40 was probably going to be just out of reach. The leading woman was just ahead and by the time we came off the bridge at about 2k I had her picked as my 40 minute pacer. Another guy came past about that point and I wanted to use him to drag me up to her but I felt it would push me just over my limit. Kept checking my pace and it was mostly between 4:00 and 4:05 with occasional dips to 3:55. It was reminding me of my marathons where I had a goal of running 4min/km but would always feel 4:05 was what I was comfortable at.

Hit the turn in 19:46 and immediately though the course was going to be short as I felt I had been slipping off the pace too much. Felt quite good for the first part of the return journey but started to struggle a little at about 6.5km. Probably eased off a little in the 8th km, saving a little for the climb back over the bridge and the push for home off the other end. My pace did drop off there but I ended up catching the guy who had passed me at 2k and kicked away from him a bit over the final km so I think it was probably the right decision. The lead woman (Alexandra Meek) just kept edging away from me slightly to finish 16 seconds ahead in 39:21. I think she would have been very close to 40 flat for an accurate course.

I'm pretty happy with that. Might have been more frustrated with the short course if I had felt I had sub 40 in me today but I don't think I'm quite ready there yet. Still, not far off and felt I ran that as well as I could hope to. Very even splits and finished off strongly. Next goal is to get in shape to go well under 40 in the John Gilmour 10k track race on the 3rd of November. No question of a short course there at least.

C • Good effort 4

Gentle shuffle towards the Causeway and back. Calves feeling on the verge of cramping.