Ok, wasnt at all expecting it with the build up but I'll take it. 39:24 for the Oxford Town and Gown 10k. Strava link here.
Going into it I had a bit of a right hamstring strain, I just woke up the morning of the race after taking the previous day totally off (that was the mistake I think) with it really tight. Did longer warm up than usual but it still felt tight close to the gun. In any case I set off with the sub-40 group and quickly dropped to the back of the 200 or so people that started then. Watch said I was right on 4 min/k pace so I wasn't too worried. Lots of twists and turns at the start so it was difficult to find rhythm and surging out of the corners (to keep up the pace) hurt. Hit what I thought was 5k right on track but there weren't any distance markers at all so I was beginning to worry that the watch was being optimistic and I'd find out with 1k to go that I was 30s down (like the Oxford HM). HR was fine and it was sitting under 170 which is just a good 'tempo' rate and I was holding pace according to watch of 4 min/k. Was really starting to get worried and preparing myself for a sprint finish to try and get under 40 mins when I passed the first distance marker at 8k and my watch said 31:32 ... I was 28s up! What a joyous feeling. Just 2 x sub 4:14 ks to finish and I was done. Of course those 2ks happened to have very lumpy grass sections in them so they weren't easy but finished fine holding what I came to realize was a pessimistic '4 min/k' pace and more like 3:56. The Track WR was/is faster than the road one so getting the #breaking50 track goal on the road and I'll take both thank you very much!
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AuthorHi, I'm trying to get within 50% of the men's WR for all running distances 400m to HM. Sounds easy doesn't it ... Archives
June 2021
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