Fingal 10k

I was very confident going into this race of a good time. Clogherhead was a much tougher course, and a 39.35 there would surely leave me in witha good chance of a sub 39? The morning was perfect for running, not sunny, but nice and warm at 22 degrees, and just a light breeze. I had slept reasonably well the night before, had a good breakfast and arrived at the start nice and early. I met up with some of the club members and had a chat, and we made our way to the start line.

The start was divided into two groups, sub 40 and over 40 min finish times. Looking around, I was a bit annoyed at the masses of people in the sub 40 start group who clearly were not sub 40 runners. As usual, at the start gun, these selfish people just get in the way and slow up the faster runners at the start by having to try and navigate around them and draining much needed energy. It should be a fun day out for everybody, and everyone has different abilities, people should just try and be sensible, and start from a position further back, in line with their expectations. Sorry, rant over.

Anyway, off we went. The course was pretty flat. I spotted a clubmate who I figured had similar ability to myself up ahead, so I caught up to him. While I was feeling pretty good, I didn't really feel that I was settling into a comfortable pace, and found myself working harder than I did in Clogherhead to maintain the pace. I dropped back a bit from Brian, my clubmate, as I didn't want to slow him up if my pace dropped. The miles ticked by quickly enough and I settled in to a good stride eventually. I started to pass e few runners who had gone out to fast from mile 3 onwards. I kept Brian about 100 meters ahead, which I figured would place me ahead on time as I had started after him. Looking at the watch, with an average pace of 6.15 min/mile, I was confident sub 39 was on the cards. At 8k I decided to push the pace and started to overtake some runners who I had been trailing behind. At 9k there was a guy calling out the time, 35.10 he called to me, ok, a 3.45 kilometer would do it, no prob, kick it up a gear. As soon as I increased the pace again, I got a sharp pain on my right side. It was a stitch, ok, keep going, no panic. The stich got worse, rapidly, and was probably the worst I have ever had. I rounded the last corner, and could see the finish line. My pace slowed significantly, the stitch got worse, and runners who I had passed began to stream past me. I could see the clock, 38.35, I would never make it! Despair started to set in, I demanded my body to keep going, I was bent over in pain, I honestly can say it was like someone driving a hot poker into my ribcage. I slowed to a crawl, and as one runner who I had passed early went by, he called out to me  " don't stop, keep going, your nearly there". That encouragement really inspired me, and I pulled my self upright and burst through the pain to stagger over the finish line. 39.14, a new PB by 6 seconds.

I felt the pain of the stich for at least 30 mins after the race finished. I met up with the other club members, and had the post race chat and photo. I was happy enough with the time, although disapointed not to have achieved the sub 39. When I got home, I went straight out for a 9k recovery at 7.45 min pace. The next 10k race is on the 10th of August, which will be the last chance this season for the sub 39. Back to the track !

Mile 1 - 6.05
mile 2 - 6.05
mile 3 - 6.22
mile 4 - 6.22
mile 5 - 6.17
mile 6 - 6.24
last .2 - 1.35