Embarrassingly, I wasn't able to offer Jojo even a modicum of competition. I was unceremoniously smacked down — flattened to the canvas inside the first round! 49:26 for myself; 46:01 for the victor. Although it hurts, I'll be paying the café bill when next we meet.
It was one of those races in which I never felt entirely comfortable. Or in pain. Got stuck early in a groove that was more like half marathon effort. Started next to Andy, not too far from the front, but couldn't spot Jojo. After the gun, we were 14 seconds to the start mat; Andy ran to my right and gradually drifted ahead. He would run 43:42. I split the second kilometre in 4:43 (my fastest, but still slow) and soon after was running around 5-flats. It was my slowest 10k race since I-don't-know-when. The only bright spot was being amazed by the beautiful running of the girl who placed 5th in the 12-14 age-group. She flew past in the last kilometre. I bumped into her in the recovery area — she had just turned 12, and run 48:45.
A dud race failed to spoil my holiday. Had a great time with my roomies Andy and Ruth. Enjoyed running in warm temperatures and doing the tourist thing in summer clothing — an all-too brief respite from Canberra's sometimes gloomy winter. So, it's back to the grind of wage-slavery next week. Before then I hope to catch up with your blogs. We didn't have an internet connection in Queensland — being out-of-touch for a while was kinda nice.
It was one of those races in which I never felt entirely comfortable. Or in pain. Got stuck early in a groove that was more like half marathon effort. Started next to Andy, not too far from the front, but couldn't spot Jojo. After the gun, we were 14 seconds to the start mat; Andy ran to my right and gradually drifted ahead. He would run 43:42. I split the second kilometre in 4:43 (my fastest, but still slow) and soon after was running around 5-flats. It was my slowest 10k race since I-don't-know-when. The only bright spot was being amazed by the beautiful running of the girl who placed 5th in the 12-14 age-group. She flew past in the last kilometre. I bumped into her in the recovery area — she had just turned 12, and run 48:45.
A dud race failed to spoil my holiday. Had a great time with my roomies Andy and Ruth. Enjoyed running in warm temperatures and doing the tourist thing in summer clothing — an all-too brief respite from Canberra's sometimes gloomy winter. So, it's back to the grind of wage-slavery next week. Before then I hope to catch up with your blogs. We didn't have an internet connection in Queensland — being out-of-touch for a while was kinda nice.
The view from our apartment was spectacular!
Enjoying lunch after the marathon on Sunday
Roger, Ruth and Andy during our Tuesday bush-walk in the Lamington National Park
19 comments:
..sometimes races just dont happen. as a friend said to me, you dont always sleep well interstate etc etc. I was slower than i wanted, but well how can you expect to beat a 400m runner...LOL.. kidding. for track, i think our comps are 1500,3km and 5km-what do you reckon? we will have to come up with a title though.. track-tastic?... tanning of the track? smack the track? fast and furious....lol
Look upon your Sat 10km as a fast(er) effort rather than a race amid what was a lovely running holiday. Remember, a less than great "race" = a fabulous training run.
It was great to have your support on the sidelines while I and other running mates were running the marathon, and the food, coffee and wine all rounded out what was a fab few days away from Canberra's frost and minus temps. We're all back into it now though hey? ... Brrrr ....
What a fabulous week and what fun we had - such excellent company! It's a bit rough returning to jumpers, jackets and jeans.
Seeing kids run is always great, isn't it? It beats having them sitting in front of the telly, that's for sure!
Even if they give us old sloggers the runaround ...
Happy to hear you had a good break. I remember seeing two local girls at about age 10 who ran beautifully "like deer" and went on to be champion high school and college runners.
It's just like you Aussies to be such contrarians, having winter while we're in the midst of the summer from hell.
Glad the race didn't keep you from having a great holiday, and why should it? Like Jogblog said, "fabulous training run". There'll be more kick-ass races future.
Love the photos!
Glad you enjoyed the holiday if not the 10k.
Not really sure what to do with you as far as your running form is going.
did you get an iron blood test check ?
i don't think it's really age thats your problem!
Magill on Masters: Starting Over
Success is the offspring of correct training
By Pete Magill
http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=19958
Nice pics and the beach looks good for a run!.
The hollidays are for rest and have a good time Ewen.
Greet Rinus and have a rest time in the hot egypte!.
www.rinusrunning.nl
Seems like you were not meant to run this one, if you knew you were done for in the opening k. Glad you enjoyed the holiday.
It must be dissappointing for you as you know you are capable of a better time than that. And it is not like you are not doing the training. I like the idea of a blood test to check for no underlying problem.
Walking in Lamington NP is a treat. Not bad for trail running as well.
I was going to say that, that post title "Good holiday; bad race" is better than the other way around "Bad holiday, good race" but there is no such thing as a "bad holiday!"
Still, I'm not worried about you. All you have to do is start reading your own blog, it helped get me out of my funk and back to faster times ;)
It was great to read of your delightful holiday in the Queensland sun, but the smackdown must have been frustrating. The mysterious gremlins that contribute to a downturn of performance are often difficult to track down. As Rick suggests it is probably worth getting some blood tests, but my guess it is still the aftermath of ‘burning the toast’ in March. My own view is that a program of carefully graded increase in intensity, with relatively modest volume, is the best approach to recovery from overtraining – though whatever you do, continuing to run in manner that you enjoy is potentially important. You have a wonderful ability to enjoy your running.
warm weather and a great holiday! Lots of sun...have to be happy with that well done on keeping the 10k in the sub 50 realm...hopefully a much better race ahead, maybe on 10/10/10?
Jojo, yes, interstate races can be problematic, but no excuses - you thrashed me! I'm up for a track challenge - 15, 3k, 5k - you're on. You pick the name.
Jog, that's great. It was a good training run! Congrats again on your marathon.
Strewth, it was a fun week. We needed a couple of extra days for shopping.
Thomas, you're right - one of the great pleasures of this sport.
Mike, that's great. One just hopes that they continue to love running for a lifetime.
Flo, we Aussies pride ourselves on being contrarians ;)
Rick, I haven't yet. It's something I'll do to rule low iron out. Thanks for the link - another great article.
Thanks Rinus. Go the Dutch!
Grellan, I hope it was just a bad hair day.
Robert Song, I wish we'd had all day for the bush walk - it's great up there in the mountains, but chilly!
Scott, I'm afraid to say, you're right ;) And I also hate to say that your running and dedication is inspirational.
Canute, thanks. I think that's the most likely reason. I didn't recover well from 6' and haven't built up to a good few months of consistent training.
Thanks Jonathon. 10/10/10 will be much better I'm sure. Hope it is for you too!
So wipe all that away and half a good run at City 2 Surf then. Tesso is in hot form you just have to keep up.
I think I kinda know how you felt (I also had a bad race today). It's just one of those days where things didn't seem to work. I hope GC wasn't a peak race.
I love that this little blip of a race didn't deter you from challenging your rival to another smack down. Go get it!
Ewen, sounds like your 10k was similar to my half a couple of weeks back - one from the "so-so" basket! I look at it this way: these kind of races are just one step closer to a perfect race. Hope your next one is more to your liking. Cheers, Paul
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