AAAs Indoor 3km Champs

I wasn't sure how my legs would respond going into this race having competed in the Armagh 5k on Thursday night in Ireland.  The last couple of times I have ran a decent 3k I have done a session on the Thursday night before and ran well so I was hoping for more of the same this weekend. 

There were 19 people on the start line which is probably too many but I'd much prefer it like that rather than heats and a final spread over 2 days.  Last year was my first ever indoor race so I didn't really know what to expect so I sat off the pace and worked my way through the field.  With such a big field I decided to do the same again and work my way through as it was a bit mad at the front.  I like my space in races and always tend to run on the outside of lane 1 so I can always get out when I want and reduce the risk of getting tripped or spiked.  From my position in about 10th I could see that Ross Murray had taken the pace out early doors and we were moving along at sub 8min pace.  Mike Skinner then took the pace on and I think he was probably doing a bit of cheeky pace making as he dropped out at about the 2k mark and Baddeley then pushed on. I don't really remember any splits from the race apart from the half way point which I passed in about 3:59.  By this point I had worked my way through to about 3rd and felt pretty strong.  The legs felt a bit heavy but I was pleased that I still felt strong.  Moving into the last k I moved into 2nd place behind Baddeley and it was then just a case of trying to hold onto a medal position.  Ross Murray came flying past going into the last lap to move into 2nd and get a very impressive sub 8 and I came home in 3rd in 8:00! Typical! I am pleased with my race though as it was a 6 sec improvement on my time last year and also my 2nd senior AAAs medal. Sub 8 would of been nice but I am confident it will come soon and with a place in the Grand Prix this weekend a possibility hopefully it will come then. 

I gave a pretty dodgy interview to Tom Gayle at Athleticos after my race and he asked me about the support given to me by the rest of the guys at the Harriers and I responded by saying stop eating so much and drinking so I would just like to take the opportunity on here to thank them for their help and support over the past few years and also to everyone who has sent me messages since the race at the weekend. Its been much appreciated!