Well, Sunday saw me running the Austrian 10 km raod championships. The weather was OK, the course was flat (5m height difference over the whole lap), there was a bit of a cold wind blowing but it wasn't gale force :) All in All - no excuses!
I was planning to run a sub 40 minute time, which I felt was OK bearing the situation. As is usual I started conservately, running the first KM in 3'53 and the second in 3'55. Not bad I thought, lets just try and keep this up! The 3rd and 4th km also went well and where passed in 3'53 and 3'57, so I was running exactly as I planned, just 5 sec a KM faster. KM 5 was s bit faster at 3'53 and km6 and 7 were both around the 3'57 mark. At this stage I was getting ready for the last lap (of 4) and was running with a young lady I know from orienteering.
And then the combined effect of the previous quick Km's hit me, and the speed wobble set in. The fact that I had only slept about 3 hours in 3 days also probably played a small part as well, but be that as it may I slipped over the 4 minute barrier (4'02 to be exact) and then that traitor Arthur (who I had been pulling through) decided to make his move as well - when I was at my weakest - he made a dash for home (with 2 km still to go) - I was finished, washed up, dead as a doornob (add your own expression here)!
The good news was that I could still see Arthur, and we were catching up on Frank and Heidi (i.e. we were going to lap them)! I stuck to my guns, but the legs were gone. The next km slipped passed in 4'08 (can you believe that) and I was into the last KM. Passing Frank helped me as they gave me some support and for a brief 250 m it looked like I was catching Arthur again. Unfortunately, that was the extend of my recovery, and I slumped back, finishing the last KM in 4'04, giving me a time of 39'36 (Arthur ended up with a 39'12)!
Man, I was buggered. Well at least a got my time, but I must admit, I have seldom been ssssoooo physically finished after a race. I guess the lack of sleep hits you harder than you think, but I'll keep at it and see what the Salzburg Marathon (or half) brings.
So until next time!
2 comments:
Hey Rich
Well done on the race. Glad that everything is going well with you and Christine and Hanna.
I ran my first half marathon in about 6 months this weekend. The Milkwood half through in Kommetjie. Perfect conditions, beautiful morning. Bundled myself round to a respectable 90mins. Dion jogged in to about an 83 - most everyone is tapering for Oceans next weekend. Not me. Spectators don't need to taper.
Richard
Impressive Rich. Yes no sleep does knock you a bit, and I bet if you had been well rested you would have cracked 39 and been into the 38's. So with your sub 40 in the bag what would the target at Salzburg be? Yes I ran 83 in the half last week, but next up is Oceans and I am planning of running with Stef who wants a 3hr50, so I'll see who it goes. if I'm strong I'll run home a little quicker, but on bravery till the marathon mark. 56km is a long way. I'm a little confident after 3 weeks of over 100km, I was a little worried before.
see you
DION
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