UKA Indoor 3000m

As I mentioned in my last blog "My Journal", I though I was in better shape than this time last year. I was right 2 seconds faster. It's no secret I was hoping to run faster and at least go sub 8.

I travelled down Saturday, got to my accomadation in good time and went for an easy run just to stretch the legs after the long train journey. My calves didn't feel great, but I never feel great before races so I paid no attention to their screams.

I woke Sunday morning after a great sleep, having spent the previous night watching Batman Begins. I got it into my head that I was going to break 8 minutes with Sub 7.55 being the desired time, as it's the Euro qualyfing time.

31.6 seconds a lap, doesn't sound too difficult when you say it like that, just over 63 seconds per quarter. I can do that.

Turns out I can't, not today anyway. I got my KM splits at 2.39.71, 2.39.60 and 2.42.75. Three seconds slower in the last km may have cost me the sub 8 I desperately wanted.

With 19 toeing the start line it was going to be fun. I got number 19, so it was second row and right on the outside of lane 6 for me then. Not too bad as right in-front of me was Baddley and Draper, two guys I was banking on to run fast.

The Gun went and I didn't get the best start but before the first lap I had got a position in 4 or 5 place on the outside of lane 1 on Taylors shoulder. I wanted to be on the inside of lane 1 and eventually got it. Running the shortest line in any event is obviously going to be an advantage but when there is 15 laps to content with, its event more important.

My tactics were OK, I was only down 3 seconds at 2km, but not feeling good. My legs were fine but my stomach was awful. It's still on I though. I should have pushed on much more aggressively, I did try a number of times but was forcec int olane two when the guys ahead of me responded. I though I was still on for sub 8 with 800m to go. I checked the clock again with 2 laps to go, it didn't look good. My last 200m was pretty good, but I would have prefered to finish last in 7.54.9 than 4th in 8.02.20.

Ten Minutes later and I was showing the Irish Guys I was with what I had pre-race as I emptied the contents of my stomachs. I headed outside for fresh air and some more stomach spring cleaning.

My last competitive track outing, was in August so it's not a bad opener I guess, hopefully next saturday in Belfast will be slightly faster. WEll done to Jonny and Ryan today. Think it was Runnerslife 3rd 4th and 5th.

Until next time happy running