Bearbrook 10k - 9th Aug 09 - Statto plays the illness card!

After breaking down in easy-paced training runs on both Tue and Thu this week (dizzy, weak-legged), followed by feeling similar all day Saturday (even whilst not running), I was not expecting to set the world on fire here. Despite feeling much better Sunday morning, the warm-up still felt a bit too much like hard work, so I was primed for an unexceptional time by recent standards. Just as well! Given the above, I decided to set off very conservatively and pick up the pace later if I felt OK. Alas, the early conservative effort was all I was able to maintain throughout. I was even struggling to maintain my recent (June) 10k PB-pace in the final 3.5k downhill section!

The relief of the finish line is only a few metres away! (photo Lindsay Cook) >>>>

As it was, I was just pleased to get around without another DNF. If I’d have tried to run any harder, that is certainly what I would have achieved. I’ve probably been harbouring some bug or other, so in that context my time of 37:36 wasn’t too bad, but it doesn’t feel nice running 1m 30s slower than I was doing as recently as June! I have a 5k and a HM booked over the next 6 weeks, but at this point I need to seriously re-assess the wisdom of doing these. A very easy week is also long overdue.

As I have stated on previous blog entries, I have been overdoing the racing over the last few months, so a combination of general staleness (and likely latent illness) took their toll today. Shame, as conditions were good (if perhaps a little too warm) and I still think this is a fast course. Given I managed a good 5k PB only a week ago, I don’t think my over training/racing syndrome is yet at a critical level, so hopefully and easy week or two will help me build back up towards better race-times in the Oct-Dec period.

P.S. - what a difference a day makes…

Did a 6.5M easy run the next afternoon. Despite low average HR (only 135 or 74% of max) managed average pace of 6:49/mile. Perhaps Bearbrook just came a day to early wrt to whatever lurgie was still lurking? If I was really on the verge of burnout I would not have been able to manage that pace over that distance with so little effort. That has perked up my mood!