New Balance Games, New York 1 Mile

I have written about this race in my blogs, so shall keep this report small.  However, for those who haven't read the blog here goes.....

The race was at 2.30pm so meant getting up and going for a little jog around central park and a few strides.  Breakfast was not included in the hotel so it was off to find a suitable replacement.  I went to the local supermarket under the Time Warner Building and got some porridge, fruit, hot egg sandwhich and a coffee, which was pretty good.  Chilled out in the room until it was time to meet in the lobby and get the metro to the race.  The venue was packed with kids, all lying about in every available space.  It was going to mean that warming up inside would be impossible, so myself and a few of the boys who were racing went out for a jog together, which was nice and relaxed although bitterly cold. -6 without the windchill!  The elite athletes were in a little lecture room, and it was boiling, two different extremes.  It was actually quite funny seeing some really good athletes taking turns to do drills across the front of this room about 10m in width!  Anyway, when we got out to the track, we were introduced in reverse order and presented to the crowd.  It has always been obvious to me that the Americans can at least put on a show and really involve the crowd, something we could do with learning about.  Some of the atmosphere at our meets is rubbish!  In this small meeting it was electric!  I was concerned about going off too hard as I was not really sure where my fitness was so took it easy for the first few laps.  When your racing it is quite difficult to gauge how far people in front are, and retrospectively I gave the leaders far too much, and in another race might not have been able to reel them back in, it was only due to the fact they dropped off their pace I was able to do it.  I felt quite comfortable and running smoothly, coming steadily through the field.  As the race went on and I was passing people I started to grow more and more in confidence and was aware that Adrian was coming back to us.  With 600 to go, I really felt I had the chance to win and felt strong coming up to 2 laps to go.  I was still some way off the front and made a massive effort to get back on the pace so that I had a shout in the last lap.  Rob Myers managed to get passed me right at the bell and got half a yard.  We pretty much stayed the same all the way to the finish, but I just didn't have that drop down speed to get on level terms with him.  Fortunately we were both running pretty quickly and I managed to sneak Adrian Blincoe on the line for a solid second in a good standard race.  Crossing the line I was really happy for first indoor race in 2 years, although the headache and nausea started to kick in, something that I need to just do a few races to get used to again! Still all that's part of racing and so finished a successful two weeks of racing and training for me.

Not sure of next race just yet but will keep you posted

Sp8y