Nijmegen Global Athletics 5000m

Hey

First off a big thanks to Ian Chaney for organising this race for me, I only wish it went better. The transport was perfect, the food was great, the hotel was nice, the weather was amazing, the track was class. Everything was set up for a great race and a certain PB.

Michael was getting my splits and I wanted to hit each lap just under 66 which would give me 13.45 and the standard for the World University games, another lofty target. I don't train jus to run PBs I want to make some championships and preform well so having a target like the WUG is a good thing.

The pace maker was supposed to go until 3km on 13.35 pace. I got right behind him from the start and just sat off him hoping he would do a good job. He dropped out after 2km and was closed to 13.45 than 13.35. I took the lead for the next 1km with a big group sitting just behind me. With 2800m gone I was on 7.39 which is about 3 seconds inside the 13.45 target I wanted but was starting to work hard.

Some guys started to go past me at this point, but I tried to stay with them. Just after the 3000m mark a group went past me, wiht the last guy cutting the curve very tight which resulted with me getting tripped and hitting the track.

Sickened, granted I was just inside my target time, and was starting to slow, but I was still on for a PB. I couldn't get up quick enough and to be honest I don't think it would have been worth it anyway. Falling in a cross country or road race and getting up is fine, because your usually there to compete against other, my only goal was to run fast and I reckon the fall ruined my chance of a fast time.

Next race up in the Irish Milers Club 1500m on the 4th June. Hopefully I'll get around the track and run a PB.

Cheers

Dan

Results: http://www.nijmegenglobalathletics.nl/en/results-2011/276-5000m-mannen-a-serie