The 10k Championship race for 2018 was held last Thursday evening, 15
February. My last track 10k was back in 2014 — ran 52:57 then
for 17th place on a hot, calm night. For this year I thought my 23:44 5k
form would make 5 minute ks a realistic target. 25 laps of 400 metres
is never easy, especially on the hard Mondo surface at the AIS. Luckily,
Roger was entered and I knew he'd be good for 2-minute laps.
The field was disappointingly small, just 12 runners facing the starter.
The air felt cool after recent hot days, around 19C, but there was a
fresh northerly breeze to face as we ran up the back straight. I
followed Roger around the first lap, the large Omega clock at the finish
line showing 1:57, right on target. Quick enough, so I stayed in
Roger's draft for the next 5 laps. Sensed he was slowing so went ahead.
Bron shouted encouragement as we passed the lap-scorers each lap. My
5-minute k goal was gone by half distance, the unforgiving seconds
slipping from under round minutes to over.
During the 17th circuit Ann lapped me and I used her as a pacer for the
next few laps until the elastic broke. That was helpful in a race in
which I was running alone most of the time. Finished in 7th place with a
time of 50:33.28 and a gold medal for the M60s (only entrant!). I would
have loved a 49:XX time, but perhaps that'll be the result next year.
The story will be embellished in future reminiscences to say we faced a
Queensland-style cyclone up the back straight which cost every runner at
least 2 minutes.
Catching up with Carolyne and the legendary Norma Wallett (38:34 for 5k at 88!) at the first Goulburn parkrun
