A return to Athletics

Month - 17k

YTD - 17k

This week I made my much awaited return to the track. Not sure if there was any hype about my presence, in fact I guarantee that there wasn't and it was just my imagination and excitement that created this. However I was happy that I could dust the spikes off and stretch and stride out the pins.

Thursday was a 5000m handicap series, not having run a great deal and certainly not on the track I predicted 20 - 21 mins. This gave me a handicap of 8.10. This felt like an eternity and when the gun went and the first group headed off I wondered if in fact they had made a mistake. The first runner that took off ran the first lap in 1.45 which is not much slower than my predicated pace, however I waited to see the next lap and almost got hit by the wheels that fell off him which made me feel a little better (not in a nasty way). The excitement and the glory must have gotten the better of him.

The race was at 7pm but the temp was still very high. I cannot believe how different the heat is here compared to Brisbane. It's so difficult to breathe when your mouth is soooo dry after 5 mins. I suppose I will get used to it.

When it was my time to set off I felt good, not feeling like I was going to hard. The first km was completed in 3.49 so I was a little under my prediction. I have been struggling with anything over 4k I think due to the weather so even though I felt like I could go harder I didn't. As predicted I did start to slow but not dramatically and by the final km I still had 19 secs up my sleeve to break 20 mins. I completed the last km in 4.01 stopping the clock in 19.42. I even ended up finishing 4th overall which was a shock as you don't have a clue who is in front of you.

Saturday was the day for the shorter distance. There was a 1500 and 3000 but the weather was just extreme that I just didn't feel the need to do these events. I stuck with the 400 and 100 with a couple of field events.

I hadn't raced a 400m since probably last time I lived here which was 2000. So it's been 10 years. I was asked what I was looking at doing so I could be placed in a heat. I said probably over the minute which relegated me to the 2nd heat. I was fine with that and was not going to kill myself anyway. I haven't sprinted or ran in spikes since Oct 2007 when I raced 2 x 100m events. So, lining up I was surrounded by a mixture of ages and genders, a few young blokes and a fella that was a little older than me but not quite in the veteran age group yet. The female was looking at sub 1.05 - 10 not quite sure but a decent time nonetheless.

The gun went and although I didn't feel like I was running that quick I had established a lead by the first corner. I didn't push the back straight and then just tried to maintain my form for the remainder of the race. There was a stiff cross / head wind down the home straight which made it a little tougher but I was very pleased as to how good I felt. As you may be aware the 400 m is a horrible event and those of us that don't train specifically for it usually bugger the pace up and die on the home straight. Thankfully I made a wise choice and crossed the line in 57.xx secs which I am pretty chuffed about as my PB is only 53 odd.

The next event was the 100m, the last time was like I said earlier in Oct 07 where I ran 11.59 and 11.68. I was hoping of a sub 12 but wasn't sure. I was placed in the first heat with the oldest being over 10 years younger and representing state comps. I was a little scared but am pleased that I came 4th in 11.64 just being pipped by a 16 year old for 3rd who ran 11.51.

I think I over strided towards the end and strained my groin so after 1 attempt in the long jump I decided to call it a night. No serious damage done just the body telling me that I need to progress slowly into these events. Not as nimble as I used to be.

My wife came to watch and was playing with her new camera and filmed the events. I have posted the 400 m event. I am in the white shirt and to give an indication of the standard the 2nd and 3rd place getter's ran 1.01.

That's all for now, back to resting my legs that are still stiff, feels like I just ran a marathon. Pretty sad that I ran for a total of 1 min and 8 secs and feel like this :-)