End of Indoors
Well this weekend didn't exactly end the way I had imagined it, but simply Lewis and James were the better athletes on the day. I'm happy that I put myself in the right positions to win but wasn't sharp enough at the end to compete for one of the top two spots.
My journey back to Edinburgh was a quiet one where I sulked and felt sorry for myself. As my Mum drove not knowing what to say I complained away to myself. I was pissed that I was not ready for the race that I was targeting, I complained that I had missed christmas with my family so I could go altitude training and didn't gain my desired reward, and simply hated the fact that I got beat.
After 5hours of sitting in the car with a face that looked like a spanked arse I realized that I couldn't be too disheartened. During this indoor season (six races in total) I've ran two PBs, one stadium record and came away with 4th at the UK trials. My 1000m stadium record of 2.21.03 was done off very little track training and my 3km PB of 8.01 was my first real experience of the distance. Additionally, I broke 4minutes for the mile again. There are multiple positives to take from this indoor season and a few things to look at to make sure I come back stronger and sharper for outdoors. This little set back will drive me for outdoors.
When I say that i'm annoyed and frustrated I don't want to take anything away from the other athletes in my race yesterday. I felt everyone in the 1500m final was very evenly matched and as Steve Mitchell mentioned on the warm down: we could have ran that race 10 times and probably had 6 different winners.
In terms of moving forward now I'll need to have a chat with Coach Roe but I imagine I'm going to have an easy week now and then go back to hitting a few tempo's and longer stuff. As I wasn't happy with my speed in the last few indoor races I'm going to really concentrate on my plyometrics, weights and strides over the next couple of months and we will see if that produces the results I'm looking for.
Well done to everyone this weekend on both sides of the pond. There were some huge performances.
Comments On "End of Indoors"
Reflection and future
Kris
oldcoach Posted on February 14th, 2012Looking back did you discuss and agree race tactics with your coach and what was the agreed plan?
Looking forward now you must focus on speedwork sessions-reps and fartlek with a weekly tempo to check strength and stamina.
Good luck with the forthcoming season and remember that true athletes never give up- they get out there and work harder, stronger and smarter!!
All very good points and I'm looking to see if there are anymore indoor races over the next couple of weeks.
Kris G Posted on February 14th, 2012I don't agree with the american form not translating into british form as there are many factors to consider. Form is form. American tracks aren't smaller or anything.
My tactics and execution on the day was off and will need to work on certain areas to race to my expectations in the future. The key thing is, I will learn from this experience and be a better athlete as a result.
Tactics
Lesson to be learned about tactics Kris...
Old Scottie Posted on February 13th, 2012Your races up to now have been run on a strength base, not speed basis so your kick was always going to be suspect in a slow run race...
You led through 400 in 64.5 which would have felt very easy...given your 2:22 1000m and 3:59.9 mile both run off even pace in the main plus your 8:01 strength from 3K you really ought to have put your head down and tried to run them into the ground from there...Worst thing to happen would have been 3rd place from that I suspect...but then a chance at Birmingham to be dragged to something faster...
Good luck with whatever you choose to focus on next...
Old Scottie
To be honest, you went altitude training, you knew you were in good shape and still you sat back! You knew that you could run 3:41/2 but you sat back and came 4th. No guts no glory
Shame mate Posted on February 13th, 2012Don't be too hard on yourself. 4th place at the UK trials is a good result for you and the position I predicted you to finish on current form. As you know by now American form doesnt translate into UK form.
Rick Posted on February 13th, 2012Hi kris. I know you're dissapointed with your race and want to finish your indoor season there, but why not go for some more pb's? You said yourself the 1k was done off very little preperation and you were so close to breaking 8 minu
big d Posted on February 13th, 2012Tes for 3k, so why not have another pop? It would do your confidence the world of good and no doubt more motivation than you race yesterday. The indoor season is long so have a think about it