Running race 1:03:36 [5] 13.27 km (4:48 / km) +481m 4:03 / km
shoes: Brooks Pure Grit
Didn't know how to approach this considering the past week. Assume that I was no where near 100% and run at lower intensity or go at near enough 100% and see how I fared.
I decided that if I didn't go hard I may be sorry, so went out hard and I'm sorry...
Well not really
I probably could have done the trip faster if I went at a more sensible pace, but I probably would not have found the correct pace considering I don't run when I'm sick!
Bottom Line 64mins is a good run considering the state I've been in for past week..
Anyway back to the run.
Was not ready at start when Marcus came in...oh oh, so I was behind hi mat the change over. Could have done without this intensity before I started! So GPS was started 30 secs in.
I quickly caught sight of Mullaghmeen/St Brigids green shirt ahead who started about a minute ahead. I though this could be a useful pacer, but not to be as I caught him at beginning of climb. At this stage i knew it was going to be a lonely race unless someone caught me. Also after about 1 minute of climb I knew I was not running well. The lungs were were no where near 100%. This was expected but I hoped it wouldn't be. So I battled on, but all the time about 15-20 secs/km slower than I would expect. It was warm. I brought water, but couldn't stomach much and ended up pouring it over me.
So although I was struggling, I lasted the distance fairly well and had a good kick down the road, but rather perturbing to see Rene running from junction long before I got there. Had to do an extra 100m just to reach him. It really doesn't need a 4 x 100m changeover coach!!
The St Brigids guy was the only runner I saw, but I gained another place as east Cork took a half hour detour.
Team came a brilliant 7th, a place behind the only orienteering team (Well done!) Really tight at end as 11th or maybe 12th were only 6 minutes behind. Our final leg runner Claire put in a very brave performance considering all the runners queuing up behind her, but unfair to pick out single runner as it was a team performance.
Plenty of coughing afterwards which settled down after an hour or so. I don't think it will have impacted too much on my recovery towards next weekend.