BUCS-1500m

My first 1500m championship for 3 years, and only my third one ever! The last one I did was when I was under 17 in the Southerns, quite a jump going from that to this.

Heat

I had to be up 6:05 to get on the coach, 6:05!!! A ludicrous hour in the morning to be awake! Got there ok but had to warm up straight away as my heat was quite early and we were a tad late. Looking at the start list I thought I should be able to qualify as it was first four automatically but there was a doubt in my mind because this was something I hadn't done for a few years. I was the fourth heat and it went off in 61 first lap, then 2:08 at 800. I was in the leading group and feeling quite comfortable, and then with 500m to go four off us had broken away so we eased right up and cruised home with a 4:08 clocking for me. A good start.

Semi

After a very controversial semi drawing, they were redrawn to make things a bit more balanced. I was in semi 2 with the first five to go through automatically. Looking at it I thought I should be able to go through within that first five, so imagine my surprise with a lap to go and I was in eighth! We went through in 61 then I did 2:06, being dopped by the leaders after 600m. My legs were so tired and even though I tried to move faster I wasn't going anywhere. I couldn't believe the condition I was in even after the comfortable heat yesterday. I managed to overtake 2 within the last 120 and get 6th place and sneak in as one of the two fastest losers, lucky for me the first semi was quite slow. I went through in a very taxing 3:56.

Final

After yesterdays performance I knew just getting to the finish line would be an achievement. The field was completely stacked and I think I was one of a very few who hadn't broken 3:50 yet, not good credentials going into a race like this. In the warm up I felt a bit better than yesterday so was hoping to come away with a PB. We set off and the way it felt I was expecting a low 60's first lap, it felt fast. We got to the bloke with the watch and he said "65, 66...". I was shocked!!! I've run sub 60 laps that have felt easier than that! My legs were in a new level of tired. The other guys probably felt easy and I was already wasted after a 66, it really was just a case of hanging on and trying to salvage some pride. I still managed to turn out a 61 next lap and end up at 800 in 2:07, but dead last and the leaders rapidly pulling away. I hit the bell in 2:54 and thought there was a chance of a pb so gave it all I had, which only turned out to be 62 400m. I did take someone in the last 120 again but still only ended up 10th in 3:56.

I wasn't too disappointed with the position  as the field was quality but it was the time I was worried about. I ran 3:56 in the semi and that was a massive effort, even though the day before wasn't too tiring. To make the Euro Juniors I have to go sub 3:47 and make the top 2 in the trial. Judging by the weekends performance it's going to be a massive uphill battle. Steve said it wasn't that bad of a performance considering it was 3 races in 3 days and take the positives out of it. Personally, I can't see any positives. I'm not down about the race, just a tad pissed off. It was a massive eye opener to what 1500's are like and probably a major reality check. Maybe it's going to be a lot harder this summer than I originally thought. The only thing I've come away with is knowing 1500m championships are f**king hard!!