#esholt5k

Esholt, round two of the John Carr series and I had a PB to chase.

Having arrived with plenty of time to get myself to the start line I made sure that I had a front row for the mad start!

I had rested since Hell on t'Hills and did a very steady track session the day before - so I was feeling confident of dipping under twenty minutes.

3...2...1....GO!

Knowing the course is a big advantage, so I set off like a hare to try an maximise the distance between me and my virtual-self (PB in round one 20:12).

I starting hitting my splits feeling really good and around 20 to 30 seconds up on the previous week...

1K arrived in a similar time as round one: 3:25; then I picked up the pace

Caught the 2K sign this time around after missing it in race 1: 7:00 - looking good and up on my virtual-self.

I dug in for the 3K mark knowing that it kicks up: 11:45  - going strong...

All I could think about was to hang on to 4K and arrive and to arrive in 16:30 which would give me time to blast the fast last 'K....I arrived at 4 in 16:50! Damn, I knew I had a race on my hands for a sub-20, and the PB might be slipping too.....

Burying myself on the descents I could see the pub fast approaching - the kick was dull and as the line approached I knew that the 19:59 was out of sight - but perhaps, just perhaps a PB....

Official time confirmed that the PB was still set last week and this time around I'd managed 20:14 - hmmmm, this running lark 'aint easy :-)

Last shot at sub-20 next Tuesday; not doing any exercise in the three days leading up to Esholt Round 3; going in fresh....let's see....

John Carr memorial 5k at Esholt was a baptism of fire! This is a notoriously fast course for PB chasers and the rookie turned up for his first competitive road race.

Arrived in plenty of time and having pre-registered I had my number already pinned to my race jersey - number 33.

Got myself at the front of the line and before I knew it the Klaxon was ringing in my ears and my legs were reminding me that the lactic from last nights track session with the Halifax Harriers was repeating on me.

Rookie mistake 1 - don't do a fast track session the night before a race!

That said, I covered the first 'k in 3 minutes 20 seconds; hmmm - the rookie is going to meltdown! Remember Skipton and the swim....

But no, I carried my pace and was feeling really good; so much so that I was picking off a few runners; however, I couldn't quite catch the 10 year old gazelle leaping away in front of me! Not good for the ego as he skipped past me :-/

I missed the 2km marker but caught sight of the 3km and my pace was holding me at 12 minutes 10 seconds and my heart rate dialled in at a familiar 90% of MHR - yep, I was working hard!

A few runners were picking me off and I didn't have a good 4km hitting it at 16 minutes 45 seconds; 3 minutes to run the last kilometre, nope; sub-20 has galloped off with the 10 year old I met earlier in the race.

Some downhill sections and then the final flat straight; watch reading 19:10 and I can see the pub and the finish line; I look to Yifter the Shifter for that electric last 400 metre kick; could I dip under 20?

The stitch told me I was working really hard and my Polar confirmed it as I was now up at 95% MHR with a fast approaching yellow finish line; kick kick kick - dip for the line; lap the watch and it's 20:10 seconds on the clock - a new PB by a minute! Get in!

I had covered the last kilometre in 3 minutes 25 seconds - no wonder I was retching as I walked down the line to hand in my race number.

A few glasses of water and composure was regained; around 20 minutes for a 5k and 6:29/mi; The Rookie has opened his running account.