Race Report - Kilcunda Run for the Kids, 21.1k
This was going to be my first road race over the 21k distance, and a good indication of where I was at in relation to Melbourne. I was not expecting (nor chasing) a PB; partly because I knew I was in early training, and partly because I had an interrupted training programme for Two Bays, and now Rollercoaster. But I did expect to get close to 1:40, having run a 1:44 in a time trial (on my own) 3 weeks ago. the final time of 1:52 was, well, underwhelming to say the least!
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| Aerial view of rail bridge and trail. The start/finish line was adjacent to the car park, photo - top right. |
It had all started out just fine. As a family we had decided to all go and run this event, Nicky doing the 10k (her first), Jordan doing the 3k, and myself running the 21.1k. Being a local race I felt we should support it as there are not too many races in South Gippsland. Being a low key event the information for it was occasionally lacking, or, in the start time department, completely incorrect. There were no listed start times on the web page or the entry website, and the only times I saw were in a copy of a R4YL running mag that listed all the races as starting at separate times. As we were eating breakfast on the morning, I decided to check one last time and was startled to find out that my race was listed as starting at 8, not 8:30 as I had previously read. Panic ensued as I swept everyone up and shepherded them out of the door. I hate being late and unprepared for races. (As it turned out, the race did in fact start at 8:30!)
The race started well. We had a narrow track to run on (the Kilcunda to Wonthaggi Rail Trail for the most part), and within a kilometre we had a narrow (read 1 metre wide) bridge that on the return trip had runners in both directions doing fairy steps and turning sideways! The first 4.5 k's were over an out-and-back section north of the start/finish line that included a few small hills. I felt good, was moving at what I thought was a reasonable pace, but was conscious of the heat and humidity. As I normally do in races these days I refrain from constantly checking my GPS watch and try and run on 'feel'. At one point I did have a quick peak and saw I was running around 4:35 pace, too quick I thought. Later, when I checked the GPS plot it revealed I had gone through the 5k mark in 22:50, too fast for me attempting a 1:40 half!
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| Rail bridge just outside of Kilcunda on the way to Wonthaggi. |
At about the 8k mark I could sense that I was working hard to maintain pace so backed it off a bit. The heat (and the sun on the exposed trail) was a bit of an issue and I was concerned that I was starting to feel less than stellar. I also realised that I was starting to take a peek at the watch at regular intervals, a sure sign I was concerned about something. Soon after my right hamstring started to get that feeling of imminent cramp, and I knew my day was stuffed.
At this point I am always left with the question; DNF, or battle on and finish regardless. Seeing as I have a pretty testing 21k trail run in a fortnight the obvious decision would be to DNF, but as I was nearing the turnaround point I soldiered on thinking, unless I did suddenly cramp badly, I would benefit from the mental aspect. Brain can do some funny things mid race! This section of the trail was not particularly inspiring, in fact it rolled on relentlessly and as yet another runner passed me (and gave me words of encouragement; gee I must have looked like shit, but thanks all the same, it helped), I grew more and more despondent. Only the sight of the finish line from a kilometre out helped me to pick it up and bring it home.
Crossed the finish line, took the timing transponder off my ankle and tried not to hurl it at the volunteer (not his fault), went in search of liquid refreshment and waited for Nicky to catch up. She, at least, had a good run. Her first 10k, under an hour (her goal) and obviously a PB. Well done, at least one of us had a good day. I tried not to sound uncharitable, and I wasn't. My crap day should not undermine anyone else's day. Then she informed me that Jordan had run 2nd in his 3k run. Of course neither of us were there to witness this, my son never lets truth get in the way of a good story, but because he was happy, and had enjoyed himself, we decided that was fine by us.
So.... where does that leave me and Melbourne Marathon? With the benefit of hindsight, I have looked back and identified the following;
- It was hot and humid. A quick check on weatherzone revealed that the humidity was hovering around 60% at the start and was 22 degrees. Within 20 minutes it had risen by 4 degrees. That wouldn't have helped, although it wasn't a 12 minute factor.
- I started too quickly. Once again I haven't learnt the lesson of Melbourne last year. This is the most disappointing, as it is a variable that I can control. At the 5k mark I was about 30 metres behind the woman who eventually came 2nd (in 1:35), that speaks volumes....
- I was feeling flat on the Wednesday before. I skipped a run in order to rest but the damage may already have been done. I might have been guilty of over-training, as I was keeping Rollercoaster in mind. Which brings me to the last item,
- 2 races in 2 weeks. This is not an issue in so much that I can cope with it. More so, which one was the 'A' race, and which one was the 'just run and finish' race? I am guilty of not having a clear and identifiable racing programme, which has at it's core a training programme that underpins it. Lesson learnt there!
Anyway, I may have a blinder of a run at Rollercoaster and chalk this one up as just a crap race, to be forgotten about. (Would be if I didn't record it in this blog!)
Thank you for reading. Until next time...
Thank you for reading. Until next time...
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