Sport City BMC 5000m
Sport City has never been kind to me and I don't think i've ever come away happy from that track! Saturday night was a slightly different story I was happy with how the race went, after looking back and thinking it over I don't think I could have ran much different with the way the race panned out.
I would have liked to have gone out quicker and had some company and maybe the race on the whole may have been quicker but I didn't fancy risking being on my own and being shot down, something which has happened a couple of times in 5K's. This time I set off conservatively with the hope I could come home strong. Shaun Moralee paced the race out in 67's, even after running 8:03 last week he said he found it tough to us going through 3k in 8:20, which shows how difficult front running can actually be.
I was in the pack and after Shaun moved out 7 laps down Jonny Mellor took up the running to keep the pace moving. All of us were on that start line to run as fast as possible so I was happy to do my fair share and take up the running 400m later to try and push on for another lap. Once again Jonny came through to keep the pace as I began to slow and again I went past him when I sensed the pace dropping.
As I approached 2 laps to go and I was beginning to slow slightly Tom Russell seemed content to sit on my shoulder as we moved towards the lap counter, it wasn't until I waved him through a couple of times he decided to push on past and do some of the running.This angered me as I felt as though he was being selfish here, yes I can fully understand it's an individual sport and that it's about 'racing' and 'winning' but in my eyes that isn't the purpose of a BMC meet as their is nothing at stake apart from fast times.
The race then kept moving round to the bell and the last lap seemed to just take care of itself with a number of us battling it out. It was a great finish and I don't think anyone could have predicted how it panned out. I came home with a 61 last lap and ended up with 13:54.4. I crossed the line and knew i'd PB'd but as I turned round I couldn't believe how many people had already finished! It's fantastic to see so many guys running so well and bridging that gap to the next level up.
On a personal note, obviously I would have liked to have quicker but I felt that based on the 3k time and how the race went over the next 4 laps that's the best I could have got out of myself.
Going back to what I was saying I may have just singled out Tom there as he was the only one I noticed tucking in behind as the pace was dropping but there is others totally guilty of this too having watched the video. We were all running faster than we have have done before so it's just a case of get your head down and work bloody hard. I just don't seem to understand why people toe the line of a BMC, and fair enough their is pace but they just expect someone else to do the work for them one the pacemaker moves out. They need to pull their finger out and get some work done as they'll only suffer themselves in the long run. Races like the A race 1500m at Loughborough last week is a prime example. There was a rabbit in there to take up the running but as the gun goes everyone pushes for position but nobody wants to be behind the pacemaker so he ends up getting away and having a 30m lead after 300m of the race and might as well have not been there. It's absolutely ridiculous and I hope every athlete in that race got a kicking off their coach after that one. I only say things like this because I think we all suffered. If the pace was shared out, we would have covered the 4th K faster which would have set us up to get to the bell faster, Tom would have probably kicked on strongly like he did with Bruce following but he would have been 5 or 6 seconds further up the track and all the guys behind would have got dragged along. I felt as though i'd voice my opinion on here and on 8lane just so all the 5k guys about got to hear it my personal thoughts. Some will disagree that's completely fine, everyone can't agree on everything but I know a fair few will agree having read that. I'm not looking for debate over it, not looking to anger anyone, more just to try and change peoples perspectives on how they approach good standard races. A lot of people look at the US standard races and 'hum and har' about why we can't match them but based on Saturdays 5k I believe we can!
I got out of the race exactly what I put in and i'm happy so it's time to keep training hard and look to the next race. If lads want to sit in and not do their fair share then that's their choice I won't have any more complaints i'll just get on with my own racing and look on improving myself.
Race video.
Race Results
Race : 28 |
BMC 5000m A (Mens) | |||
| . | ||||
| Posn | Vest No. | Time | Name | Club |
| 1 | 315 | 13:51.81 | Tom Russell | Bristol And West / Bristol Uni |
| 2 | 307 | 13:53.93 | Bruce Raeside | Notts / Cambuslang |
| 3 | 308 | 13:54.43 | Ryan Mcleod | Tipton |
| 4 | 306 | 13:55.22 | Sean Connolly | Tallaght / Ireland |
| 5 | 309 | 13:56.44 | James Walsh | Leeds City / Leeds Uni |
| 6 | 312 | 13:57.68 | Phil Nicholls | Tipton |
| 7 | 317 | 13:57.71 | Alex Hains | Cardiff |
| 8 | 322 | 13:58.14 | Matthew Barnes | Altrincham / Sale Harriers Manche |
| 9 | 313 | 13:58.89 | Gary Thornton | Galway / Kent / St. Mary's Uni / Irel |
| 10 | 310 | 14:02.07 | Jonathan Mellor | Liverpool H / Liverpool John Moor |
| 11 | 302 | 14:02.44 | Mitch Goose U23 | City Of Norwich / St. Mary's Uni |
| 12 | 311 | 14:10.13 | Richard Corcoran | Raheny Shamrocks / Ireland |
| 13 | 303 | 14:11.76 | Steve Sharp | Belgrave |
| 14 | 321 | 14:21.90 | Matt Barnes-smith | Woodford Green With Essex Ladie |
| 15 | 301 | 14:27.00 | Jonathan Thewlis | Rotherham / Nottingham Uni / City O |
| 16 | 305 | 14:31.62 | Jonathan Wills | Bristol And West |
| 17 | 316 | 14:44.08 | John Travers U20 | Donore / Ireland |
| . |
Comments On "Sport City BMC 5000m"
manchester 5k
i have been following this discussion on eightlane also, i think it is about time this was put to bed. after watching tom russells video clip i think he says it all by his comment about not doing any of the work, i dont think any of the insulting comments about ryan and his lifestyle are relevant, everyone is entitled to their opinions and frustrations.
put this to bed Posted on June 4th, 2010It's not difficult to guess what Tom's race plan is for the next time he comes up against Ryan. In poker terms its known a royal flush and athletes crave to find weaknesses like this in their opponents. Its crazy to think that this weakness has been offered up totally scot free on two public forums. Having a personal blog is professional suicide.
Dead Elvis Grin Posted on June 2nd, 2010'I personally thought Solinksy was selfish in the way he did that'. This is ridiculous! I have never heard something so stupid in all my life. IT'S A RACE FOR GOD SAKE, A RUNNING RACE! you race to win. I would fucking love you to facebook chris solinsky and tell him your feelings like you've told the running comunity yours.
mental mcleod Posted on June 1st, 2010Well said Ryan and also well done for not simply sitting on the fence. As Ryan has mentioned his rant is aimed at helping everyone not just himself. We all know how much easier sessions are when we share pacing so surely a race is the same? If the 9 athletes who went sub 14 got to the bell 5/10 secs quicker then they would have been rewarded with even faster pbs. I am sure Ryan will be first to admit he would praise Tom had it been a Championship race, however it was not, it was a BMC designed to run a pb!
Max Posted on June 1st, 2010They probably didnt take the pace because they are not as confident as you are Ryan, Tom Russell, and Alex Hains especially, surpassed their own expectations in this race I feel, where as you were probably the favourite for the win. You wanted to keep pushing the pace as you know what great shape you are in, also as they knew you were the favourite they were probably wary to pass you. Maybe next time you race Tom he will be much more confident as now you both know how fast you can run. It is certainly very encouraging to see nine people run under 14 minutes, it was great race to watch too. Keep the training going well, and keep the blogs coming, they make good reading!
Matt Posted on June 1st, 2010Moving away from the controversy, I think you're attitude to BMC races primarily being about pbs not racing is one a lot of athletes share and I wonder if it would be better if that weren't the case.
Al Posted on June 1st, 2010You mention that opens etc give the chance to practice racing, but how often does an athlete turn up to discover they are basically going to run a solo time trial. I feel it would be good if some of the BMC races were true run fast races. I've often wondered what the point of the small prize money is when people are more worried about pbs than winning. Why not get rid of that prize money, then put all of that moeny into a few of the other races during the season, but with harsher time requirements to be eligible, then run it without a pacemaker. That way you get a true run race, an incentive to win that is only available if you run fast.
Just a thought...
Fair points from all, i've put myself in a position which has caused some controversy. I'm man enough to post it online and i'm man enough to take the criticism back which was inevitable.
Ryan Posted on June 1st, 2010I personally thought Solinksy was selfish in the way he did that, but Rupp has accepted it as their was a prize at the end of the race and both were gunning for it and the better man on the day got it.
I'm not going to really debate anymore about Tom as it's unfair fully singling him out just because he won the race and he was the only one I picked up on at the time, that would make me sound bitter... hopefully I haven't done that too much already when I don't intend to be. Like I said in the report, having watched the video back there is others guilty of sitting in and getting a ride. I'll leave them to it now as i've put a point across and I know quite a few will have read the comments and i'll happily discuss it further in person if anyone wishes to do so. And one thing I am not (apart from this instance) is critical of my fellow athletes. I have massive respect for them as I know how hard they work.
If you feel I have been pampered that's fine but I certainly don't. I was very fortunate to be asked to go to France last year as training partner for Nick and Mo but that's the only thing they have done for me. I applied for the trip this year and was successful in getting chosen to go along with a number of other athletes, have they been pampered too? I'm not funded- I don't deserve to be, I don't have a sponsor, I don't get kit from anyone, I pay all my physio costs, I pay for massage each week. I recieve a small amount from my local sports council, Sport Newcastle, each year to contribute my travel costs and I have supportive parents now please tell me how that is 'pampered'? Pampered is all these relay funded athletes getting thousands from UKA, all their treatment for free on demand and they can't even get a baton round! That's pampered in my eyes.
One final thing was 'couldn't agree more' mentioned BMC's are about athlete development. Correct, but I see the best way to develop isn't to just win. Their is loads of opportunities for that- open meets, regional, territorials, nationals, british leagues etc. The only chance we as endurance guys to have a setup paced race is the BMC regionals and grand prix's. Them guys work so hard and give so much time to put these events on and they boast personal bests as athlete development, I don't see them listing the names of the winners? and although a lot of guys got PB's on Saturday my original point was they could have been improved had we all worked together more, that is all.
Wholeheartedly agree with the first and second response. I appreciate that you are entitled to your opinion and I think it was quite bold of you to say it so publically, but I'm afraid that it doesn't exactly cast you in the best light. Out of You had someone else take the lead for 10.5 out of 12.5 laps - I don't think that's anything to moan about too much.
Al Posted on June 1st, 2010It was an impressive run, so well done for that, but maybe have a think about why you are frustrated. Competitive people are often sore losers, and to be honest, that's the impression your comments give.
Tom Russell had a great run and ran a big pb, he looked very good, he's younger than most of the guys in the race and looks like he can go quicker. Ryan led for 2 laps and Tom led for 2 laps, but Tom led when it was important, when crossing the line.
couldn't agree more Posted on June 1st, 2010Regardless of whether you see BMC races as time trials or not they are also about development, and the best way to develop is to win, if you keep winning the times will come. BMC can only hold your hand so far, what do you want them to do, pace you until the last 50? It seems that given the opportunities a lot of these athletes have had, altitude, sponsors, full time/no job etc... they should be ale to run 13.50 solo.
It would be nice just once to direct a bit of praise towards fellow athletes who are training just as hard and making just as many sacrifices and who maybe aren't being quite as pampered. How many excuses can one athlete make over the course of a year???
That was a great report and very honest which is what I like Reading, not a sugar coated line of usual pleasant one liners. Just like you above are entitled to your opinion so is Ryan. Well done to all who ran and thanks for an honest review.
Honesty Posted on May 31st, 2010Ryan,
Agree to disagree Posted on May 31st, 2010The only one 'expecting someone else to do the work for them' is you! Everyone else just got on with the race. You led for a few laps and feel hard done by?
I think you may have become a bit pampered? UKA have looked after you very well indeed and now you expect Tom Russell to hold your hand in the competitive stages of a race?
I assume that you were also disgusted with Chris Solinsky for just sitting in behind Rupp for the American 10k record? Imagine how fast they could both have run if he wasn't so selfish!!
You ran well - just leave it at that - don't cry like a baby that someone else didn't help you achieve your goals.
You state that everyone was in the race to run as fast as they can - well maybe just maybe Tom Russell thought his best option to do exactly that was to wait until 800 to go to strike for home. Tom Russell was there to run as as fast as Tom Russell can - Not to help Ryan Mcloed run faster!
In my opinion your rant is nothing short of pathetic and also demonstrates a real lack of class. Tom Russell out ran you, show some humility and respect.