After hitting the wall at 11k in a planned race-pace 13k run a fortnight ago, today was redemption time, albeit with the race-pace target wound back to 6'00"/k from 5'30". But the real issue was whether I could find a pace around that figure that I could maintain, and thankfully I did. For the first half the instantaneous pace readout on my watch was pretty much nailed to 5'50". It dropped off a bit after that, with 6'00" and 6'05" turning up occasionally, but (golfing analogy) I kept a 6 off my lap card apart from that infuriating 6'00.1" for k11 (we'll put that down to chopping my stride in preparation for hurdling the wall at the end 😀). Mission complete in 75'38" and an average pace of 5'49"/k.
Now that's 10 secs/k slower than the 11k run that annoyed me in May, and a huge 24 secs/k slower than the 12k that really pleased me in June, which was also my pace until I hit the wall last time. But given the continuing hot weather and high humidity 😜I'll happily take it for now 🥂.
I feel I should also mention that my post-run relaxation was disturbed by the woman, my wife, who having jeffed 5k in 40 minutes this morning was now lying on the beach "recovering", ringing up and requesting delivery of beer and crisps, having "forgotten to take any water with me". This from the person who nags me about hydration at every opportunity …….
Onwards and upwards!!
Gremlin updates - Sensible Sue
Southsea bids you a Happy New Year!
1:52:51 - 13K
