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Running in the Real World
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Bungy Girl wrote: »Wait until we start doing drills! They'll be out with the white coats.
haha, I'm pretty sure I've never seen adults skipping in Fairview park
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Figure I better get some kind of report done in case I fall into a bog hole on the mountain tomorrow and am never heard from again.
Today's 10k in Bundoran wasn't a goal race for me but as I haven't raced a 10k since Dec 2012, it would be a good indicator of current fitness. My target was sub-55 mins and with so many people here wishing me luck, I thought I bloody better hit that.
Arrived nice and early in Beautiful Bundoran (as the old song says) and parked near water world (one of the main attractions, along with the slot machines). Murph was doing the 10 mile which started at 11 and the 10k started at 11:30, so plenty of time for warm up, pit stops, etc.
It was sunny and blue skies, but cold and the wind was noticeable as runners gathered. After 2-3k warm up, with some token drills and strides, I headed for the start. It felt very strange to be surrounded by Donegal accents at a race.
I practiced some positive self motivation today -- thought about Jim McGuinness (my hero) and how he visualised the Sam Maguire at the front of the Donegal bus in 2012 so visualised myself finishing under 55 mins, happy and strong.
Anyhow, the race started, a bit congested but nothing major. The first km was downhill so didn't worry about the pace too much -- was aiming for 5:20-25/km. First 3k were bang on target, then we swung around onto the bypass -- merging with the 10 milers. Up to then, it was like being in the women's mini marathon (dare I mention it) but suddenly there was an influx of men! I was overtaken by a guy in a Lifford AC singlet and distracted myself by marvelling at his hairy shoulders for a few hundred meters.
The bypass seemed to go on forever... not the most interesting place to run, even with the mountains and hairy shoulders to look at. The sun was strong and there was a cross-wind but not too bad.
Hit 5k in 27 mins, so still on target but negative thoughts were starting to creep in... I banished them and started chatting to a woman from Ballyshannon. She was aiming for sub-60 and told me to go on, but she kept me going.
The bypass was an uphill drag with a bit of a hill towards the end of it. At the crest of that hill, there was a sign saying "Flat Course" -- :pac:
Finally got off the bloody bypass, sharing the roundabout with cars and trucks and back towards the town and the nicest part of the course was the last 3k. Through the KFC car park (!), then up a tough hill in the 8th kilometer, then onto the cliff path and a welcome downhill drag... that must have been the last hill, i hoped. Wrong. A steep hill brought us up to the 9k marker, but I was helped here by looking across Donegal Bay at Sliabh Liag and Cronorad, my spiritual home.
And it was all downhill from here. The last km was great fun, I flew down the hill, would have gone faster if it wasn't a bit congested on a narrow path, at the bottom, damn there's still 200m left, but could see the clock and made it in under 54:30.
Everything went well today. I paced it well and finished strong. Most important, the positive attitude really helped, lesson learned there for the future. Saw the lady I had chatted to afterwards and she thanked me for helping her come in under 55 too!
Very nice to meet Tang and family too.
And there was a great spread of cakes in the hall afterwards. Very friendly and well organised race, with a spectacular finish. pity about the bypass!
Chip time 53:25. Average pace of 5:20min/km; 8:36/mile. PB of >6 mins over my first 10k race.
Splits: 5:25, 5:17, 5:28, 5:23, 5:30, 5:23, 5:32, 5:20, 5:08, 4:59
Position: 159 out of 481... and 5th in my ancient age category.
Now I have to visualise myself getting a good night's sleep and surviving the hike tomorrow... what was I thinking!? :eek:0 -
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