City2Surf

On a 40th birthday for a well loved course, some easterly in the wind so a headwind the whole race though only a breeze, 46:43 chip (46:51 gun), 40th, 3rd M40-49, fastest time since 1992, 40 seconds faster than last year.

Of my friends: v=51:23 8th female, top effort

How it panned out. Got bluffed into lining up early, maybe 6 lines or a few hundred people back. Squashed like sardines for 15 minutes. Finally released, some shuffle and jogging, clear air by the tunnel, probably lost 15-20 seconds in first km. No more. Could see motor cycle first female (I knew it would be Lara and she was about my speed)from drop into Double Bay, took another km and some hard work to make contact.

Noticed Keith Bateman running along side her, went back to my usual plan of running fast and comfortable until Heartbreak is over, then a long drag race home.
Keith moved aside at the foot of Heartbreak (pulled out?), asked for someone to help her (not me, I was struggling to keep up at the start of the climb). By halfway up the hill I was feeling more comfortable, by the top I was trying to break away, but Lara was as strong as me.

There were 5 guys in front as targets with 4km to go, a couple of big efforts from both of us brought them back and spat them out. The last 4km was in 3:06/km including the down hill. Pretty much on my limit. I think it is the first City2Surf I didn't admire the ocean view.

Highlights: 1. Nobody passed me the whole race and made it stick -- 2. The tv coverage, I am a serial tv pest:-)

Re:Comments

Thanx for the nice words all.

David: I know you are getting quicker by the week. Are we both (all Scott?) last year in the 40's next year? Mona still beat my all-time PB of 44:04 wired up and chatting aged 47. My only hope of ever beating him is if I get a minute quicker and he gets a minute slower. Maybe we can both hammer him next year:-)

Yes I was on my limit the whole way. I might have been able to follow someone a tiny bit quicker but I couldn't have run any faster by myself. Lara was very strong.

Comments

Emma said…
Sounds like a fantastic race. Hope you appreciated the beach when you got there and had a dip.
Congratulations!
GRIFFIN said…
Brucie, sent a message earlier this morning, but seems it didn't go through...

Lots of TV footage of you, great stuff. you looked as though you were running at top pace, well done mate, great race.

Will get the goss when yo get home, CYA

G Train
Emma said…
There is a clip of you running and the commentators saying "this bloke is a real legend".....I hope you get a copy!
Scott Lawrence said…
Great run Bruce. Well done. Congrats.
Great TV coverage - running with the first woman is always great for that!
cheers, Scott
David said…
Top run Bruce,
you certainly appeared to be hammering it.
2nd behind Mona in Cat?
Congrats
Scott Lawrence said…
I turn 50 in October next year, Bruce.
Unfortunately 3 months after the WM in Sacremento.
cheers.

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