Manchester 10k

I was always hopeful of a new personal best in Manchester as I feel that my 10k pb going into the race didn't reflect the shape I was in. The plan was always to go out pretty hard but in control, if I was struggling at halfway then I would be in trouble and risk blowing up. I thought going through no quicker than around 14:20 would be ok.

The race was fantastically organiser as usual like all the other Great Run events. I travelled up the night before and stayed over in the athlete hotel which was a 2 minute walk from the start line. With it being an early start, 10:30am, I was up at 6am for some breakfast. Had a chatter on with some of the other athletes in the hotel before going back to my room to relax before the race. I got my warm up done out the way with a few of the lads and had a catch up with Pat Martin who's from up my way (the scummy bit known as Sunderland) but now lives in Manchester. On my warm up I felt pretty normal really, I don't pay too much attention to how I feel as so many times I've felt rubbish and ran well or felt great and again ran well so now I see the warm up as just part of the routine.

The conditions didn't seem great, there was a blustery wind and it was quite overcast with the chances of rain quite high during the day. I didn't want to think about the wind too much as if you get it in your head it's going to effect you, it will!

The usual introductions were made before the start of the race with the big names stepping forward, I was little puzzled as to Jonny Mellor's name wasn't announced and called forward as he's a pretty big name in the world of road running. Just before the start I just had to shake the hand of the main man, Haile. I felt like a little kid again when I used to go hunt autographs of my favourite footballers at the Newcastle training ground.

The gun went and it was down to business. I put myself right up there in the early stages, I wasn't too bothered about pace in the first mile or so as it is always quick and settles down. I didn't look at the lead car clock but i'm told it was a 2:45 first km.

It did settle down though and we start clocking 2:50's which was a bit more suitable. I just tried to stay as relaxed as possible on the group and hang on as long as I could. I think it was just after 4km things started to stretch out and the group kicked on. I felt as though at that point if I went any harder I would risk blowing my race so I started on the same pace and ran with Walshy as the group edged away slightly.

As we approached 5k the lead group slowed and Walshy and I eased on to the back of it. They crossed 5k in 14:18 and I was 14:20, just as i'd hoped for. The course then had some twists and turns in it and the wind didn't help and I dropped off slightly and gap opened up between the group again. Walshy then made a hard effort to get back towards the group, but the group soon became a long line as Thommo and Haile (I never thought i'd be saying those two names in the same breathe!) were pushing on.

I was a little in no mans land but still moving well so I wasn't too bothered. I just kept thinking to myself, stay focused and keep working hard. I set my sights on the lads in front of me and worked hard after them. It was pretty tough though as they were moving at the same pace so I wasn't making any inroads.

As we passed 7k one of the Irish guys started to come back to me, I was reeling him in. I got within 25m of him and he seemed to pick up and the gap wasn't getting any smaller. Even though I was 25m down on him I could still use him as a little bit of a marker to make sure I didn't slow myself. I had no idea what time I was on for, i'd either fallen off 29 minute pace completely or the British lads ahead of me (Thommo, Walsh, Overall & Mellor) were having blinders as they were around 100m ahead.

I passed through 8k and then the 5mile marker soon after where a timekeeper was with his watch. I remember hearing 23:30... a new PB but 40 seconds! I had no idea what that was for 10k though and I didn't even bother trying to work it out.

I got to 800m to go and was thinking '2 laps to go, come on, keep working hard!' Same again at 400m to go and as I went round the last bend with 200m to go I just tried to get on my toes. I could see the line but I had pretty much no speed in my legs but I worked as hard as I could right through the line and I seen 29:04 as I crossed it.

Obviously i'm delighted to have ran such a great time but as always i'm frustrated I couldn't have been a few seconds faster and broken 29 but I guess that'll have to be saved for another day. The British lads in front ran brilliantly, Thommo just did what he does best and ran around 28:20. Walshy ran the race of his life and made a huge breakthrough in 28:42. Overall and Mellor had a great battle in the last 100m and both ran 28:50 I think.

I was 10th in the end and 5th Brit. Also of note, 16 Brits broke 30minutes which is great depth! Results for the top 10:

1 28:10 Haile Gebrselassie

2 28:21 Chris Thompson

3 28:25 Sergiy Lebid

4 28:36 Craig Mottram

5 28:39 Martin Fagan

6 28:42 James Walsh

7 28:49 Scott Overall

8 28:50 Jonathan Mellor

9 29:02 Andrew Ledwith

10 29:04 Ryan McLeod

After the race with Haile:

I've now updated my personal website to include all my blogs and race reports www.ryanmcleod.net. I have more time on my hands now my exams are out the way so no doubt i'll keep playing around with the design of it. If anyone would like a website doing feel free to get in touch.