Run to the G

As mentioned, I had previously missed 2 weeks of training due to illness and general laziness.

I had previously entered 'Run to the G'; or as Beki calls it, 'Run past the G' (unfortunately we don't enter the MCG these days)...

My preparation for the 5km run was far from impressive:

- Two weeks without training.
- Two weeks of poor nutrition, including Fish & Chips the night before (who needs carbo-loading?)

George had fallen off the rails also. He had a cold and didn't train for 10 days before the event.

Anyway, we managed to turn up to the event and caught up with each other at the start line about 2 minutes before the start.

We had discussed our strategy at length a number of times prior to the day, but all of that flew out the window when the race started.

I got caught up in all of the hype and raced ahead of George. After a few hundred metres, I looked back for him. He told me to go on and he would meet me at the finish line.

Our plan had been to start off at a steady pace, and finish strongly (as we had done numerous times before around the Tan).
But did I follow the plan?
Why would I use common sense?
Why not go as fast as I could, and hope that I didn't self destruct...

I tried to keep up with a fit looking guy in the vein hope that he would drag me to the finish line.

My first km was @ 3:50 pace. Not bad I thought. "I could break 20 minutes easily at this rate".

My second km was 4:00 flat. "OK, Nothing to worry about, I'm just settling in".

My third km, I started to huff and puff and struggled at 4:15 pace.

My fourth km, I was still in the 'fit guys' slip stream - but only just. Even fitter guys (and 15 year old girls) were passing me...4:21 pace.

My last km, I felt like throwing up. The 'fit guy' had kicked on, and I seriously thought about stopping. I managed to soldier on for a 4:24 final km.

George was just over a minute behind.

My final time was 20:50 @ 4:10 pace. Not a bad effort for me; especially given that I had done everything wrong!!!

I read my results in today’s Age (2,634 participants);

38th overall &
10th in my age group

I'm determined now to break the 20 minute barrier.

My financial year’s resolution is:

1. Train Smarter.
2. Eat better.
3. Write something my running blog every day.
4. Make it to MM06; Rain, hail, or shine (knowing Melbourne's weather, that's exactly what will happen on the day).

By the way, I did a 10km run today up the Yarra and back at around 5:00 pace.