This blog has been sporadically updated of late, barring a few pictorial copouts there hasn’t been a proper post for well over a month. The last four weeks have flown by, the adage of ‘eat, sleep, train and repeat’ has been followed to the letter. Apologies…..
Geelong Multisport Festival 5k Run
This photo is plain out awesome (helped by capturing some impressive quad definition on my part). All EnduranceTeam members.
The Festival put on by USM events is practically a home race, considering how much time I spend ‘down south.’ I was looking forward to this race for a number of reasons. Firstly a test set 10 days prior (6x1k repeats on the track on 4mins) suggested I was in good running form and secondly there was bragging rights up for grabs within our squad.
There were six of us EnduranceTeam members all of whom were looking to go at or below 16mins. With 17yo Nick Mcguire in the race (pulled out a lazy 15.33 on the track a few weeks before), the most likely scenario barring some freak disaster would be a race for second between the rest of us.
The first K we ticked off in 2.58mins, a stupidly fast pace (for my standards), let alone it was the fastest 1k I have ever run. Straight off the bat we were all in a world of hurt and Nick had dissappeared into the distance. Paying for our efforts the next K was ticked off in 3.20.
Up until the 3.5k mark there remained a group of me, Chris Little (my running partner for all our hard sessions at Geelong, pictured above), Nate Walsh (another ET member) and Shane Ilgen (top junior and yes another ET member). I was quite happy to sit second or third wheel with Nate (as usual) out the front. A couple of times the pace slowed and I found myself at the front. Mentally, let alone physically (taking wind) it was considerably harder and each time this happened I was quite relieved when someone passed me.
With 1k to go, I was still feeling strong and I decided to up the pace. It had the effect of dropping (just) Shane. I kept pushing the pace (we averaged 3.03 for the last k) looking to the shadows on my right to see if I had dislodged anyone. My average HR was 194 for the last K, peaking at 198. With about 300m to go Chris came around me, putting in a surge I couldn’t match. Hitting the straight, it became about damage limitation, holding third overall.
Looking up at the finish line I was in some serious oxygen debt, let alone pain!! To my horror I saw the clock ticking over 15.50, then 51, 52 and then I crossed the line on 15.53.
Yeah I was pretty spent. Not looking my best
I was overjoyed and shocked!! The last time I ran an open 5k was in September 2011, two months before joining EnduranceTeam. My time then was 18.21. It is a testament to my coach and the crew at ET that I was able to drop so much time off my 5k. Nick ended up winning in 15.19, Chris pipped my be a few second to take second in 15.48, I held off Nate by 3s and Shane just snuck under 16mins. With such a strong group of runners (there are three more names who comfortably run sub 16 in our squad) you really get pushed every session….and hence improvement follows.
1k Swim Race
A few hours late I donned the wetsuit for the 1k swimming race. I was still pretty trashed after the run, but as I frequently bemoan, I need every oppurtunity to improve my very mediocre swim. There was also going to be some family rivalry with my dad doing the swim. Swimming is not his strength (understatement of the year), where I worry about places and times, Dad (and the rest of our family) worry about his survival!
He decided to get himself a wetsuit especially for the day, just to be a pain, he got exactly the same model (albeit in a much bigger size) as mine.
The swim start was pretty tame and I quickly found clear water. To my relief there were no jellyfish (I am still semi-scarred from when I was stung badly in the face at the same spot 3 years ago).
I knew I was in a decent position. The flat water and lack of current made sighting easy. I crossed the line 1st in my AG (20-29) in a time of 13.11. Solid but not that good. At least a put a good 10mins into my dad!
Overall it was a really fun day. There was no real pressure, I was just out there enjoying the day doing what I love. Till next time…….
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