Notes
Wasn't sure what shape I was in but goal was again this year to go for sub 40. Left Achilles was a little achy warming up and I soon realized I overdressed with winter gloves and a longsleeve. Lined up a little further back than normal so I could take the beginning relaxed. Ended up being a tight start and felt like I was going slower than I wanted being stuck behind people. In the end it worked out ok as I still came through the first K just under 4:00. 2nd K is mostly downhill until the end when it rises up alongside the cemetery. Was still feeling relaxed at this point although I did put in a bit of a dig to get up the hill. 3rd K starts on the rise and then is mostly downhill so I came through 3K where I needed to be.
4th is mostly downhill except for a small rise towards the end. Was quite surprised to see it this fast as I was still feeling ok. It wasn't until the 5th K when the course flattens out that I started to feel some heaviness build in my legs and started thinking how am I going to hold on for another 5k? And then a severe cramp hit me in my right side just past 5k. Usually this is where I could pick up the pace again and take advantage of a downhill section but I was forced to slow and deal with my cramp. I also went from passing people to having people pass me. My left calf was also starting to cramp a bit and I started questioning whether I had drank enough water. I seriously considered walking for a bit and just be happy with a good first 5K. But by the time I hit 6K the cramp was mostly gone and I saw that I didn't fall off the pace too much. I was able to again pick it up a bit in the 7th K but not go too crazy in case the cramp got worse.
The worst part of the race is the stretch along Richmond after 7K and this year was no different. There was the slightest wind from the west to deal with and my body just wanted to shut down at this point. However I knew sub 40 was still possible and I tried to put in some digs whenever I could. Considering this I was a little disappointed in the 4:09 km and knew I had to fight harder to get under 40. I tried pushing a bit more in the 9th K and made some improvement but knew I had to continue fighting to maintain this pace to get under 40. My legs seemed to respond well as I really focused on staying with the runners around me and not letting them get away. Turning off Bathurst I continued pushing and still had a bit left for a mini sprint at the end. By now my left calf was quite sore and my breathing was pretty labored but otherwise my body held up ok. Finished the last K strong and figured I maybe could have ran faster if it wasn't for the cramp and if I pushed from a little further out as my body did respond better than I thought it would going into the race.
Quite pleased with results and the fact that I fought through some trouble spots, not sure where I want to go from here though.