Stromlo XC 5000m : Spring Series Final Race (almost, and in summer)
31.7 degrees, sunny, wind gusting to 28kph, very low humidity, 6:16pm.
Young Joshua was there, unbeatable in this field although a very strong one (Stuey from Goulburn FR, Scott from City2Sea and deep down to sub-18 top 10...I estimated 6th for myself pre-race). As I found out post-race Joshua had already done a session and was on his way home (like previous weeks an additional tempo run), take out of equation. Two contenders (including Marty) with baby.
The race: Very slow first 500m, almost jogging, I was reluctant to lead. Back onto the main loop after the hill I was done with the tactics, went to the front, got a gap, ran hard for 2.5km (lap 1), 100m lead on chasing group of 4-5?.
At 2.6km was told I had 70m lead (thought it was Joshua coming), I waited, no it was Nick!!..wouldn't have mattered who it was, I was cooked. I rode the wind down to 4km (13:17, 50m behind), looked back, saw gap of 100m to 3rd and 200m to 4th, very slow last kilometre up hill into wind, defended 2nd place 17:09 by same 100m margin, last km 3:52. In training I would normally do 3:25 with no wind so still was working hard. I found out where I was good and where I failed.
Helen 22:45?, Gabe 25:15?. Tori 26+ started late?, Kathy 27?
So next race 800m in two days. I hear it will be a good field on 11th December at track 5000m at 8pm...that's worth keeping in shape for and maybe same time and distance week following.
The lergy is almost beaten, I can cough up most of it pre-race so I declare it not an issue, no further comment.
Young Joshua was there, unbeatable in this field although a very strong one (Stuey from Goulburn FR, Scott from City2Sea and deep down to sub-18 top 10...I estimated 6th for myself pre-race). As I found out post-race Joshua had already done a session and was on his way home (like previous weeks an additional tempo run), take out of equation. Two contenders (including Marty) with baby.
The race: Very slow first 500m, almost jogging, I was reluctant to lead. Back onto the main loop after the hill I was done with the tactics, went to the front, got a gap, ran hard for 2.5km (lap 1), 100m lead on chasing group of 4-5?.
At 2.6km was told I had 70m lead (thought it was Joshua coming), I waited, no it was Nick!!..wouldn't have mattered who it was, I was cooked. I rode the wind down to 4km (13:17, 50m behind), looked back, saw gap of 100m to 3rd and 200m to 4th, very slow last kilometre up hill into wind, defended 2nd place 17:09 by same 100m margin, last km 3:52. In training I would normally do 3:25 with no wind so still was working hard. I found out where I was good and where I failed.
Helen 22:45?, Gabe 25:15?. Tori 26+ started late?, Kathy 27?
So next race 800m in two days. I hear it will be a good field on 11th December at track 5000m at 8pm...that's worth keeping in shape for and maybe same time and distance week following.
The lergy is almost beaten, I can cough up most of it pre-race so I declare it not an issue, no further comment.
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