Launceston 10k today and as I had a good result and I'm out drinking on my own I figured I might as well do my write up.
Was meant to do this race last year, and can't remember why we didn't come down, but despite my sob story the hotel still hung on to my $200. "Graciously" they did say that if I got back within a year they'd keep it as credit...so here I am. Also, running well and the course is meant to be fast so was keen to give it a crack.
Bit of pressure too; Birchy and Gleeso had a wager between themselves on me breaking 39 minutes or not. Birchy betting against his own and saying not.
Things weren't looking good for Gleeso when a beer stall popped up at the expo. Two hours to kill before check in, a live band, and craft beer? Impossible to resist. I don't even feel bad about it. Gleeso wanted all bets null and void, but Birchy was having none of it.
Also this is the last 10k that's even on my radar for this year, certainly fast ones. As such it would likely be my last crack at a new 10k PB this year, and I felt like I left a bit on the course at the Sydney 10k.
Cold and bright morning with little wind meant perfect conditions. A 10:30 start was very European (as is Tasmania) and meant I was well rested.
Lined up and we all waited for the 5k to finish before setting off. Plan was to run the first kilometre quick before settling into 3:55's for the duration with a kick at the end.
Deputy mayor of Launceston (is that a thing?) fired the gun and we were away. Close enough to the start to be fairly untroubled by misplaced/optimistic runners and went through the first 1km in 3:39 and felt good. Had to consciously slow down, but 3:55 felt too slow and started running around the low 3:50s. 3:50 itself (with the possibility of a 38:00) scared me, but I felt 3:52 or 3:53 was a happy medium.
Didn't feel in trouble at all going out, but was aware that I was running faster than I ever had and a blow-up could happen at any time. Honestly didn't feel like it would at the pace I was doing.
It's an out and back course and I reached 5k in 19:13 (PB on a measured/timed course). Had my only doubts at this point. Presumably due to the turnaround, my watch started registering a 4:20 pace despite me feeling at the same level of exertion. Panicked a little, but talked myself round. Just a watch anomaly. Sure enough I was back at 3:52 pace within a hundred metres or so.
The return leg felt pretty comfortable and I started passing people. A little rise after the bridge during the last kilometre felt tough and I saw my lap pace approach 4:00/km, but was able to kick it down over the last 400m and record a 3:47 to finish in 38:27.
Chuffed with that, almost a minute PB (from 39:19 a few weeks ago). Had done a bit of a taper (as had a cold), but I did have a cold. Ran in my Type As, which I think made a big difference. Fast course and great conditions.
Next race is GCAM half and McMillan reckons I'm in mid-85 shape. There's no 85 pacer (only 84?!) and I run worse the longer the course, but I would love an 85 or, dare I say it, a sub-85. Bet with Timmy for 4 minutes also. McMillan also reckons I'm currently on for a 3:00:24 marathon, so getting close to that goal. At least from a 10k perspective.
Cracking morning and then really good lunch with Dave Criniti (31:19) and Simon Wolnizer (34:58) who both insisted on milkshakes whilst us (me) adults drank beer. Dave told how he had to have extra layers brought up for himself on a recent hike he did with his school kids, and I almost had to do the same for him today. Aussies, they'd never survive a British winter.*
*Dave did take a certain amount of glee when I was the first to put a wooly hat on.
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