On target, but just.

I had set myself a 65:xx minute goal for today's Mallow 10 mile road race, in that I would be happy with such a time given my aerobic only conditioning. Anything below would be a welcome bonus and anything above would be a poor day. So my 65:51 official result was not disappointing, although it felt much more strenuous than last years 65:38. I met up with Brendan and Thomas before the race and as I led them on a warmup I remarked that this would be the only time I would be in front of them today and how right I was. I was also right about my prediction in my comment on Thomas's last post than He and Brendan would lead me out over the first mile While the first mile (06:37) was reasonably comfortable as I kept within sight of Brendan and Thomas I lost sight of them as they got swallowed up in a large group in front of me. That was the last I saw of them. Mile 2 in 06:42 saw us turn left onto the Cork Killarney road where I kept pace with Nollaig Hunter of Leevale as we took advantage of the hill and a tailwind to give me my fastest mile of the day in 06:08. Shortly after the 3 mile mark we turned west along the Kilarney Road where the wind was slightly against us. My pace was fairly steady as I slowly reeled in and passed a few runners. Mile 4 in 06:30. A quick drink of water at the 4.5 mile mark and a steady pace towards the halfway mark. While my pace was reasonably confortable I felt that if I increased it I would suffer sooner rather than later. The clock at the halfway mark showed 32:41 as I passed (Garmin gave me a 06;41 mile 5 for 32:38). "11 seconds off 65 minute pace" I thought. "If I remain comfortable I just might make it". Turning left off the main road along the minor country road towards the 6 mile mark I knew that everything wasn't going to remain comfortable unless......unless............ I slow down ..........well stop really, which was very tempting. Mile 6 in 06:34. 65 minutes slipping away. It will take a concentrated effort to get the sub-66. I was still reeling in one or two runners during mile 6 but that all changed during the undulating mile 7 where I got passed by 3 or 4 in a row. Mile 7 in 06:50 (slowest mile). A guy came up on my shoulder shortly after the 7 mile mark. "It's a well organised race isn't it" he said. "Watering stations and all". All I thought was this guy must be very fresh if he can chat. I exchanged a few words with him just to show that I could also talk. Funnily enough after than he fell back and I never saw him again, which gave me renewed energy as I hit a slight downhill and powered ahead to the Mile 8 mark in 06:34. Two of the guys who passed me out during mile 7 were 10 yards ahead. It took a concentrated effort to maintain pace (no talk of acceleration) as we entered Mallow, under the road flyover and up an incline to the 9 mile mark. Mile 9 in 06:34. This is when things really started to hot up as runners behind began to put in a bit of a kick and I was passed by about 2 or 3. I had no answer as they accelerated past and quickly put distance between me and them. I was unintentionally playing cat and mouse with one guy from mile 8 to the finish - me at my steady pace and he surging every time I passed him. He kept pace behind me as we crossed the bridge with a half mile to go. I was just able to keep a steady strong pace counting down strides to the finish line - no kick at all as I could not respond to the sound of footfalls behind me over the last 100 yards as first I got "chicked" and then saw my cat and mouse partner put in a very strong surge as he sailed past me and the "chick". But while I was momentarily upset I was glad to be finished. Mile 10 in 06:26 (not much of a final surge - It's all in the speedwork - hopefully). Both Brendan and Thomas had a much closer race 3 minutes in front of me but less than 10 seconds apart - well done to both of you - fantastic times. Well done also to Eagles Rhona Lynch who took first female spot in 01:01:16 and Pat Twomey who took the first M55 spot in 01:05:39 after having to stop and tie his shoelace halfway through. If he stopped and tied the other one I may have caught up with him. Sat 10th Jan 5.26 Miles in 43:11 (8:12 pace @ 141 HR) HR in the 170's for the first 1.5 miles and in the 120's teherafter Sleep: 8 hrs 8.5/10 Legs: 8.5/10 Sun 11th Jan 15.4 miles with 10 miles in 01:05:51 (06:34 poace @ 166HR) Sleep: 8 hrs 8.5/10 Legs:7/10 Conditioning week 8 (Run 66.79 miles, Bike NIL, Swim 1.5k)