Standing at the start, race 1 of the #SalomonTrailSeries. I
was toeing the line, my heart was pumping. The morning chill kept us in check,
the perfect testing ground for my STRYDA compression
The hooter went and we took off. I settled into a quick
rhythmic stride and worked my way into the lead pack. What was my pace? Earlier
in the week I had made the choice to run ‘nude’ no gps, no foot pod and no
heart rate monitor. Pure running, feeling my way with each step.
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| #bitumenisboring - but you gotta get to the trail! |
RUnning quickly, we found our stride and shook off the last
of the #bitumenisboring before hitting the gravel path. We were soon to find out that sometimes you have to just trust your own course knowledge...
Don’t always follow the marshals lead, as a dud steer lost
the leaders precious seconds they were directed straight on as we took the
first left around the ovals. ‘Run fair!’ was the cry, and those that trusted
our own navigation slowed the pace and let the pre ‘glitch’ order return. From
here though, it was game on.
Legs feeling great, I pushed the pace and played a little game
of cat and mouse as we ran past the river along the first of the trails.
wE returned to the road before a quick right hander lead us
along a double trail/ well-worn track back upto the swing bridge. At this stage
I was feeling great and pushed the pace a little.
Yikes! The sway of the bridge and dodging the foot traffic
added to the thrill and sent the heart rate racing. One sharp left and we were
onto the real trails – these were the twists and turns that I had signed up
for.
Passing one or two more runners, I was feeling the pinch and
slowed just enough to keep on the tail of those in front. The pace was slowly
building as the finish line drew closer.
As we neared the final switchback, the lead runner seemed to
be only a few hundred meters ahead. I had to ask myself, ‘would I be able to
reel them in?’ I pushed on, daring to dream a little dream.
A Right onto another variation of the trail and under
bridge, you could hear the #SuuntoSprint timers buzzing away. I flicked the
switch and made my
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| My cheeky #SalomonSelfie |
Kicking into sprint mode I passed two more and powered home,
almost coming unstuck on some slippery grass. With the final surge I crossed the line in a 5k PB of 19:04
and in 11th position. I’d later find out I had the 10th
quickest #SuuntoSprint for the day and come 5th in my age category.
So, time to hit the hills and fine tune things before
race two at Lower Plenty. If you're keen to come for a run in the Dandenongs, look me up on Facebook and say hello.
Till next time, The Fish
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| http://www.stryda.com.au/ |
well done Lachie. Great time on a trail, and a clever inclusion of the event name!
ReplyDeleteThanks Les, if there was one, the you'd get the bonus prize for your sharp observations. Hope to catch up with you on the trails soon. Cheers, Lachie
ReplyDeleteGreat time champ... even if it was flat and straight that would be good. You must be doing something right.
ReplyDeleteHi John, thanks for the support. I feel as though I am on the right 'track' and have taken 41 seconds off my PB since January when I did the Merimbula Park Run.
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