Last Wednesday evening the 5th Dublin graded track meet incorporating the Dublin championships took place in a packed Santry stadium. The men`s 1500m Championship was the event of the night, with a blisteringly fast race won by MSB`s John Coghlan in 3:44 ahead of a stacked field. This was the fastest 1500 metres run in Ireland this year and quite a few athletes getting PB’s.
Phil and myself (Gareth) went out to take part in the 3K. With the flood lights coming on and the seldom seen summer sun going down the race eventually got started around 9PM.
It’s been a goal of mine for a few years to break 9 minutes for 3K and after a decent block of training it felt like it would be tough but manageable, especially with a great runner like Phil setting the pace. Phil being the only guy in the club I’ve never managed to beat over any distance. 3K is 7.5 laps at 72 second pace for 9 minutes.
The race had around 20 athletes and quickly split into a few groups with myself and Phil right where we needed to be. Going through 800M in 2:21 we were a little ahead of the 72 second pace needed for a sub 9:00 minute performance. At 1 mile we were running 4:51. At that stage we knew we were behind the pace but with a bunch of runners so close together you can end up running into the back of each other and nobody wants to take it on, the race can slow down. Unfortunately this continued for a couple of lap around the middle of the race. In hindsight it would have been better to push on for a lap but that easier said than done.
I arrived with lap to go in 7:49 and by that stage had fallen around 2 seconds behind Phil. Thinking to myself that I could make the time up on the back straight and then kick for home with 200 to go I had a game plan.
Unfortunately things don’t often go to plan in a race and just into the last lap I tripped after getting a stray foot from behind. Loosing another 2-3 seconds in the process it took me 50 or so metres to get my composure back and my stride was broken. A good kick from 200M out was somewhat satisfying. Phil finished strong in 9:04 whilst I was 4 seconds back in 9:08. We finished a respectable 9th and 12th in a strong field. Not that far away and another crack of the whip later in the summer should see the PB in the bag.
Phil remain the man with a target on his back. 🙂 Bring on Dunshaughlin
