Banana Man goes Sub 40 and beyond............. (Read 667 times)

Hi folks... Couldnt wait to get posting the result of my race on Saturday! The result... 38:59! (unofficial) I can hardly believe it. Im still on a high. I must thank you all for your support and encouragement over the past while. This was my big race in my home town and I wanted to prove to myself that I could go sub 40. Race conditions were perfect. Cool, overcast and only a slight breeze. I was nervous but had warmed up well and felt reasonably good. I got myself intoo the second row of runners at the start to make sure I wasnt held up and took off at what felt a comfortable pace. I arrived at 1k in 3:30 which frightened me a bit. I wouldnt be able to keep this pace up but I new I couldnt drop off too much. There was a slight climb up to 2k so I dug in to try to keep on target and made it there in 7:15. I was feeling the pace now and had to try and relax without dropping off the pace. There was another rise to the 3k mark and I decided not to check my time and to push on to the 4k mark. 3- 4k was on forest trail but felt fairly fast so i was a bit dissappointed to hit 4k in 16:04. I got talking to another runner just before the 4k mark and he was aiming for 39 we chatted a bit before being jokingly told off by a runner comming up behind us that we were going to too easy if we were able to chat. He invited me to keep up with him. I tried for a few hundred meters but had to let him go or I would have blew it. At the 5k mark it was 19:19. I was pleasantly suprised but knew that with a huge hill between 7 & 8K this is where I had to be to go sub 40. It was dig in time now. I was starting to hurt and I had to try and relax. I let my 39 pacemaker go and tried to focus on my own goals. I know I checked my watch at 6k but I cant remember the time. I started to feel relaxed between 6 & 7 although there were some thoughts in my head at this stage that I might not do it. Maybe this helped me relax, I dont know. At 7k I was off the pace, 28:14! and there was a whopper of a hill coming up. In training this was tough and it could be as much as a minute on your time. It was dig in time now and hope for the best. Ididnt check my time at 8k! 8 to 9 was a fast section and i new this was it. No regrets! I had to push! At 9k I couldn't believe it! 35:04! I was going to go sub 40. and probably well under. I was running out of steam now but just had to keep going. The last 300m were on the running track and I thought about saving a bit til then. But there could be no regrets. I dug deep. I reached the track and I heard my name. I heard it again. Shouts of encouragement from the crowd. with 150 to go I heard my name a gain and i started to lengthen my stride. There was nothing there. I dug deeper! at about 50m to go I could see the clock. 38 something! a bit closer and I could read 38:50. I sprinted on empty! I had to be close to 39:00. I finished gasping. I had given it everything! But what a reward! My wife had photographed me finishing, the clock said 38:58. I was 2m off the line in the photobut I'm going to say 38:59 until I get the official result. Running. The most rewarding sport in the world!

Great job mate. I was out of breath just reading it.

Me too, that was a great report. Fantastic result. I too am chasing the sub 40. I am ready, but will keep on the MAF training for the moment.

Fantastic!!!!

What a great report, fantastic job, congratulations bananaman.

4-5k doesnt seem right at all. I expect the 4k marker was out as this was on forest trail. On reflection 4-5 seemed a bit short. I dont think I was running any faster here than the first k. Yes I did just look at my watch and try to remember the splits. I was afraid of pressing the wrong button - I forgot to turn the stop watch on in my previous race. All part of the learning curve. Thanks again!