Watford open 3000m

As usual I was hoping for a fast one here, the aim was to try and break 8 minutes. It was going to be tough but I was up for the challenge!

I'd asked Lewis who I train with to give me a hand on getting the pace moving which I owe a thank you for as he was on his break and did it as a favour for me. I'd posted on the 8lane forum that i'd be having a crack at a fast time but nobody showed up, which I kind of expected as it was late noticed but I thought i'd try and get others involved as having people about is a massive help in a 3k.

When we get there the weather was horrible, rain, wind and cold. No what i'd hoped for but I just tried to forget about the element and just get my head round running fast.

Lewis took me through the first 3 laps of the race in 3:11 which was set up nicely for a sub 8 clocking. I had company from an Eritrean athlete for a couple of those laps but he then suddenly disappeared after the first kilometre, I think he just stepped off the track.

Lewis moved out and it was time to get my head down and work. I went through 1500 in 3:59 bang on but then I slipped over the next few laps and hit a few 65's. Lewis had been jogging for a bit and took another lap for me, then with a k to go he moved out and I did my penultimate lap before he took me round the final 400. I got to the bell in 7:01/02 roughly slower than what I wanted, then to my surprise the Eritrean athlete ran from the outside of the track and darted in front of me waving me on. I just kept working hard round the last lap but only managed a 62/63 last lap crossing the line in 8:04.1. The Eritrean athlete was waved away by the officials as he came down the home straight, I still don't know what he was doing but it didn't hamper my efforts. 

I didn't know what to make of my run, it was good yeah, as it was my 2nd fastest time over 3000 but obviously I wanted under 8 minutes and the weather didn't help at all so I wasn't expecting a really fast run when I got there so I have to be pleased really.

That brought an end to my track season so time to look forward to the roads and some early cross races now!