The Horrie and Belinda Show

27/8/05

After making a late decision last night to run my first 5km challenge since Easter, I headed out this morning with no real plan. I thought I would just wait and see who was there before deciding which group to run with. I was tossing up between 20 and 21 minute groups but seeing O Runner and Mr G in the 20 minute group, I thought I would like the idea of chasing these guys around and see if I could sneak under 20 minutes. I knew this would be a big ask as I had not done any speedwork for 4 months but the only real hitout I had in this period at Sutherland to Surf didn't go too bad so I was hopeful.

Off we went and we were joined by an unknown female who asked just after the start if the pace was kept even at 4 minute kms. Seeing O Runner already starting to surge ahead, I commented to her that he wouldn't be running 4 minute kms. I tucked in behind the G Unit and worked on finding my rhythm. After about 500 metres I found it and started to pick it up a fraction, going past Mr G in the process and tucking in behind O Runner. After going through 2km in 7:36, I knew I was going to pay for this later and that is how it turned out. The 3rd km saw me slow for a 4:05km. It was around this point that I passed Ray James and Queen B who had started at 21 minutes. I could feel myself slowing ever so slightly from here but was buoyed by picking off some of the earlier runners and this kept me going. I missed the 4km mark as usual and then just gritted the teeth as I weaved around that last km and knowing it was going to come to an end soon. Once again I misjudged the finish before realising that there was 1 more weave left. Was greatly relieved to see the finish and put in the best burst I could muster to finish in 19:55. It was my slowest 5km yet but was still very happy to sneak in under 20 minutes.

As always the friendship and the camaraderie was at its usual high standard and the reason that got me there in the first place.