Cool Running

Striders North Head 10k - Saturday March 5, 2011

Five days into autumn and the sweltering heat of last months 10k race at Homebush is a dim memory. This morning was cold with overcast skies and a blustery southerly wind hitting the exposed sections of the North Head course. Hammer and I arrived 25 minutes before the start to find the car park was almost full and it looked like a record number of runners for a Striders 10k event. Very busy around the registrations area, with lots of runners milling about and warming up on the road. My plan for the race today was stick to a pace of between 4.40 -4.50 min/k and not get caught up racing anyone else just stick to the Garmin splits and maintain an even pace.  The race start was a little bit congested and I found I was weaving around runners for almost the first kilometre.   Once we were on our way out to the first lap out to the arch on Darley Rd, it opened up a little and I could settle into my own rhythm.  I was fairly comfortable running at 4.40 pace but became a little bit concerned that I may not be able to maintain this pace, so I consciously eased off a little. Went through 5k at 23.30 so an average pace of 4.42 and the second 5k split was 23.42min at an average pace of 4.44 min/k.. Race plan was achieved and it was also one of the few times I did not dread going out on the second lap. Felt comfortable all the way through.  Very happy with the time and a 19sec PB. Hammer ran a blistering 43.36, the quickest 10k he has run in over 2 years. Ohhh… he may be a dark horse on Six Foot Track, now I am nervous. It could cost me year long bragging rights.  

It is the last week of the taper before the Six Foot Track race next week. I ran a total of 48km including a 3k time trial on Tuesday and 12 short sprints on Thursday, 10 k race today and an easy 14k tomorrow. Another glorious calm sunrise on Narrabeen Lake during my local run this week.