Stretford 5k (track)

I got to the track early...I think it was about 6pm with my race starting at 7.45pm, the reason being I was only sitting in my brothers apartment Manchester city centre so thought I may as well leave rather than be late as I have never been to this track before. I caught the metro which was easy and pretty cheap. 

Not many people where at the track when I arrived but while eating my toast and sipping on some water fellow celtic warriors and belgrave team mates Dan Mulhare and younger brother Michael turned up so they joined me for a chat on the steps beside the track. Dan is a 'roomie' of mine sometimes and is going really well this summer, with his lay it on the line attitude and toughness means when he is fit he can play with the big boys....and I hear his brother is the same.

I warmed up alone and went for a 15minute run while listening to the itouch with Muse blaring into my ears with the plan going arond in my head 'get to 3k in pb territory and then see what happens'. I was nervous and made more so hearing the field was cut down so last place could be 14.30 which is never nice on the track!

After the usual drills and strides and my foot was stapped up (will talk about this in my blog) it was time to rock 'n' roll. Ladbrooke had offered one of his athletes to pace for the leaders going at 65s laps and stayed to shout out splits which was good. Then before I knew it I was on the start line waiting to go. 

I was in the 2nd split on the outside, BANG...we were off. As I came into the home straight I settled in to the line but by the back straight 4/5 guys ran away. It was good conditions to be fair but of course no one wants to work on the front but it became clear I might have to. So me and Thewlis (notts athlete) tried to share the pace although we didn't talk about it, it just felt right. I wanted to keep the pace on 68's I it was my desicion to help with the work which may have cost me later....who knows, but you have to decide at the time and I did. 

I heard 2.49 for the first Kilometer and felt OK if not fantastic. I knew it was my first track race of the year as although feeling good I wasn't sharp, so far the foot was holding up too. I kept swapping to the front although not every 400m, sometimes it felt like I was doing 600m but then might sit in for 500m or 700m just depending when I felt I could help at the front. Of course it would be great if more guys could help with the work but it is a race and for all you know they could be hanging on for a pb so I don't have any problem with it.....but it would of helped me!! haha. 

3k and I think I heard 8.31 but I knew I would have to work to keep it going, it then turns in to a bit of a blur as someone shot past (think it was Ben Fish) but no one went with him, then a lap later someone else shot out with another 2 guys. At this point with about 800m to go it seemed to just be loads of guys ahead and the front was changing quickly.....meanwhile right at the front I glanced up to see Dan off Ryan but was working hard. The bolts were starting to shoot out and I just kept telling myself to keep calm and get on their heels. A lap to go I knew there was nothing left but I tried to stay relaxed and get to the line as quick as. 

So 14.22 was the time. It's a bit mixed feelings really as would of liked to maybe dip under the pb but ended 12seconds off, that said if someone said in June when I started back I would run that time after 2 months I would of taken it. 

It was a very well organised meet though by Dave Norman and his team (a very nice guy doing the results and time keepers were very encouraging). Ryan wasn't exactly happy with his race but there's always another race and with crystal palace up next for him there will be more chances to run the time he wants....but for me I was really happy to see Dan brake 14minutes having caught Ryan on the last lap, in fact I seemed more happy than him, no doubt he will go faster still and I don't think it will be long before his young before his brother joins him as a sub 14min runner.

Simx

p.s well done to everyone who raced.