21.1k 1:47:00
I had been looking forward to this, as my previous 2 HMs (Perth and Freo last year) were a bit soft at around 1:54. I knew I could do a lot better, and was pretty confident of getting a new PB especially after all my marathon training.
I got to Burswood really early, still in the dark at 6:50am! I actually got lost on the way as I don’t know the area. There was hardly anyone else around and I had the toilets all to myself. I hate queuing for them.
After a decent warm-up I met up with a few other Coolrunners and then it was time for the start. The announcer said there were around 900 entrants which is a big increase on previous years. I started at the back which is probably a mistake because it took a good couple of minutes to get going. Next time I must get the confidence to start further up.
I had planned my 5km splits in advance, aiming for 27m, 26m, 26m and 25m. I also set my Garmin Virtual Partner to a pace of 5:10 mins/km. As it turned out I felt really good and the weather was nice and cool with no rain. I got the first 5km in 26:41 and the second in 25:17m. I knew I was well under my target time and just had to keep up the pace. I ran a lot of the way with fellow Coolrunner Mjail who set a perfect pace. At the turnaround at UWA I had a quick blast of powerade from the stand. I actually walked through all 4 drink stations as I find I can’t actually drink if I run. I felt really strong on the way back and the next two splits were both under 25 mins, so I knew I was going to be well under 1:50. With about 1km to go I decided to go for broke and sped up to overtake a few people, doing my fastest pace all the way to the end for a time of bang on 1:47. I was thrilled to take such a big chunk out of my PB!
The race was won by local boy Courtney Carter in the amazing time of 1:07, over 3 mins ahead of second place.
Next up is the marathon in 2 weeks, really looking forward to it now!
Congrats on the PB, I didn't see you but my training partner Turtle Runner said you were there. May see you at the marathon in 2 weeks although I am in a team only :) Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteOhh I only just found your new blog!! Well done on the PB...
ReplyDeleteThanks guys! Which leg of the relay are you doing Kilee? I did it last year, it was great fun.
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ReplyDeleteThat's smashing your old PB, 20CB.
ReplyDeleteYou're looking good for sub 4 in 3 weeks.
cheers dave
Congratulations on an excellent PB there!
ReplyDelete7 minutes is a lot to take off in one go, shows how much you have improved this year. You have the speed for a sub 4 marathon thats for sure.
However landing that fish is a lot tougher than a Half or 10k. Its a different ballgame.
You will probably get there though if you learn, persist and get more smarter and more consistent with the training over a period of several months at least, and finally have the right stragies on race day, for example drinks.
Hope there is heaps of Pb's ahead. well done!