Heusden 5000
This was the target and the chance to run fast especially since last years race had so much depth in it. The plan was to be competitive in the B race and if I could do that then I knew the fast time in the low 13:30's would come.
When I arrived at the meet I found myself on the list for the A race. I was in that position where i'd asked for the B but been put in the A. I looked at the bests of the athletes in there and I could see 10 athletes who'd ran 13:30 or slower so I thought there'd be a nice group around that sort of pace which is what I was hoping for.
I had been given an opportunity but which meant I could potentially get dragged to a fast time so I thought 'you should 'never kick a gift horse in the face!' So for that reason I stuck with my guns and stayed put in the A race. I didn't check any weather forcasts, stupid me assumed it would be perfect as it usually is for central Europe meets.
Race day came round and the weather was pretty windy and overcast. I did my morning jog with Cragg, had a big feed at lunchtime and then chilled out in the room before heading off to the race. Not long before we left the heavens opened and I knew it was going to be a wet evening.
I got warmed up in the pouring rain round the woods near the track. I was in the call room eager to get racing. As the gun went I got away quick but others got away quicker. I went through 200 in 2nd last in 29/30! That's Kenyans for you, they just let it when they start a race. I tried to settle down but I didn't want to loose touch with the back of the train. Looking through the video I went through 400 in around 62/3 and the first kilometre in 2:39. That would have been decent for a 3k but not a 5k for me right now. The next K I hit another 2:40, still hanging onto the group.
A few of us slowly drifted off the back of the main group and settled down into 67's and 68's which was a little slower than I wanted but I needed to recover from that quick opening 2k. Still though, if I came home strong I could still break 13:40. The 3rd and 4th K's took it out of me, constantly surging to keep the pace moving of my little group- everyone did a share of the work which was great, but the wind was killing me. By the time I reached 2 1/2 laps to go my legs were really tired and I just didn't have the pick up I wanted. I managed to see the race home and finish in 13:50. Pretty disappointing after what i'd hoped to do originally but I was going to beat myself up over as everyone had ran below par due to the tough conditions.
I'll move on, keep training hard and i'll get my break with a fast time soon enough.
The race can be viewed here:
Watch more video of Heusden Meeting 2011 - KBC-Nacht on flotrack.org
Comments On "Heusden 5000"
I appreciate you taking the time to comment and thanks for your constructive words.
Ryan Posted on July 22nd, 2011I thought within my race it would be very spread out, the kips at the front running 61/62 pace then a group of Europeans/Americans at 13:20-13:35 pace. It turned out all those guys who'd ran 13:30 or slower went out at sub 13:20 pace leaving me trailing slightly. I have to admit I didn't expect everyone to do that but it's experience. I didn't go with it in the same race last year and got caught off pace doing the work trying to get on pace so I was determined not to let that happen again. Everyone learnt something from the race and I'll certainly take that into my next race.
In hindsight the B was a better race for me however I still wouldn't have come away disappointed as I wanted a PB and I imagine I would have been somewhere around Rory in the low 13:40's.
Those type of races are very difficult to come through in though, they're high quality and the guys don't slow down that much. They just go off hard, hang on and slow slightly.
Ryan
Championship Racing
Ryan,
Rudolf Dassler Posted on July 21st, 2011I know you didn't go to Heusden for a championship race but I guess racing those Kenyans (and everyone else in that A race) in major champs is what your aspring for?
This is a good lesson that going out hard, surging in races, bad weather etc is all part of the deal.
I feel so many of our lads just train to chase times. They don't race.
It's no good when you come to a champs and the first couple of Ks are super quick or slow and then wound up.
Also reading Mellors blog where he said he realised at 3k he was well off his target pace (it really took you 3k to realise you where off pace Mellor lad?), you must go into these time trial-esq races knowing what splits and laps your capable of from trianing and go in there with a solid plan. When the Kenyans go out like rockets (you really thought they'd go out in 64s for the first mile?) you keep your head, remember your plan and work the way through.
Looking at the video, many guys where victim to not atatching their brain to their legs and letting the legs just follow the relative suicide pace.
I always find it a great feeling plowing through the field over the 2nd half of te race smashing past people who have gone off far to fast. It lifts and takes away the pain.
Next time use your noggin lad.
Rudi