Swansea 10k 2011

So back to Swansea then, the course actually goes past blackpill which is where a lot of my sessions are done and the seafront is a usual warm up area so I know the course pretty well although i don't think it's much advantage on this course as it's a straight out and back. I arrived about an hour before and then after putting on the chip and number went for a warm up with 'wicksy' who had the long trip down as had a few others due to it being a grand prix event.

It was typically breezy on the seafront and was going to be against us on the way out and then behind coming home. Before a I knew it we were called to the start line and the gun was fired. Straight away Phil went to the front and I tucked myself in behind. It was quite quiet at the front though and at 1k there were 5of us and hit it around 2.55. Then the Kenyan wanted to get things moving so threw in a 2.43 for the next and I went out the back door with a huge lack of speed stuff recently, phil though along with Dewi and Sam Farah went with it. I ran in no mans land up to 3k before being caught by Ben Tickner and Matt Dumingan.

I ran behind Ben up to half way and he looked really easy which I think helped a bit, then at the turn we had caught and passed Sam farah. Dewi was now not to far ahead either although he is a gritty little guy and knew it would be tough to get him. It was warm coming back and I was struggling to find another gear with very heavy legs, breathing seemed ok though.

At 8k there is a very small hill but one that tests the legs and it did just that! I had lots of shouts to help me though off a few girls, coach George and the training group who weren't racing. We lost Matt, Ben ran off and I kind of just held it together. Dewi was past by Ben soon after and I was closing him down, a little bend and then out to 9k where my dad always stands and heard him shouting....I was within touching distance but I just couldn't pick it up. Little did I know but Jon pepper was also closing us down!!

So I couldn't quite catch dewi but he did really well to hang on after that blistering second k and I'm sure he will break 30soon enough. I ran 30.24 and quite happy with that, iv never broken 30 in Swansea as The wind always seems to slow things down as it showed at the front with the Kenyan winning in 29 odd and Phil 2nd in 29.40.

More important was the Achilles was pretty good and helped by the fact of only one turn and no hills but it's still there and need to keep managing it for a few more weeks.

Thanks to everyone for the shouts on the way round.

Simx