Sunday was my first attempt at a 10-mile race, and its fair to say it didn't quite go to plan. I always run fairly aggressively, some times it pays off and sometimes you blow up big time.  Sunday unfortunately was one of those races were the wheels come off.  I won't be changing the way I race in future though, just maybe not go off at 4:30s in a 10-miler.  I was speaking to Chris Thompson before the race and he said how he was impressed that I had a go at Crystal Palace in the summer and said that's how he likes to run races by putting his balls on the line, so if its good enough for Thommo its good enough for me. 

From the gun Koman took off like a rocket, I was expecting a fairly comfortable start and imagined it to feel relatively comfortable but easing into a race that long with two 4:30 miles isn't ideal.  Within the first minute Overall turned to me and said 'decision time?' to which I responded 'well its going to be a long race.'  We latched onto the back of the 2^nd group with Cragg, Bouramdane and Lemoncello and as we did Thompson and Kuri started to break away with Koman already disappearing out of site.  I think we ran as a group of 4 until about 4-miles before Scott backed off a touch and already I knew I was running at my limits passing 5km in approx. 14:20 and then 5-mile in about 23:20 starting to fall off the back of Lemoncello and Cragg.  It was like a game of poker and I was already pot committed and I couldn't back out. I passed 10km in 29:30 and Overall passed me soon after, then Walsh at approx. 7-miles along side Bouramdane and then McLeod came flying past just after 8-miles.  By this point I had no response and the wheels had well and truly come off.  The feeling of hitting the wall is bad enough but when you have to run the last 2-miles into a strong head wind it was pretty grim.  In fact I can't really ever remember a race as bad in my life!  Potentially though it's a great course, and I would love to come back next year much fitter and of course to better weather.  It was a brilliant field assembled by Pete Riley and he continues to do a great job in looking after the elite runners. 

I am disappointed with my time of 49:08 but I know the reasons why I didn't run the time I was hoping for.  Mostly it was down to my aggressive start, but I think I also under estimated the distance and although I have been going well over the shorter distances in the relays I haven't really done many long sessions yet and haven't been doing my tempo intervals on Saturday mornings as much as I would like as I have been racing so much.  I've also had a lot on outside of running this week as I've been laid off work so have spent a bit of time worrying about money and sorting out my CV etc.  For now though it looks like I'll be back to being a full time athlete and claiming back some of that tax I have paid over the last 6-months.  It's quite frustrating and there seems to be so many other graduates in the same position as me still looking for work.  I really enjoyed working for Caber though and I am very grateful for the support and experience I received in allowing me time off for races etc. I really enjoyed the banter on site off the lads, who always think no matter whom your racing if you don't win - your shite! 

I'd just like to add my thanks to Rafa Benitez who very kindly asked me to take part in the Liverpool Marathon last month, unfortunately I didn't do the marathon but I said I could run the Great South Run for his foundation.  He got my vest printed up and hopefully his foundation got a bit of exposure from the day. I even got a phone call of the great man after the race, which was really good of him. Check out his website for more info on Rafa and the Montse Benitez foundation.