sometimes I run and sometimes I fall
I’ve run two PB’s in the past week (3:40.38 and 13:21.53) and somehow I still feel a little disappointed. My 5000m last night was good and I’m happy with the time except that I missed the IAAF A standard for Worlds and Olympics by .03. My 13:21.53 finally breaks my high school and university alumni records held by Jason Bunston and Paul Williams respectively.
Since I was in the B section I knew from the bat that if I was going to run under 13:20 that I would need to be towards the front and probably do some leading in the latter stages. With over 30 guys in the race it was tough to get out and I found myself running the first 800m in lanes 2 and 3 to get up with the rabbits. My first 400m was 65 and we came through the km in 2:41, too slow. My next km was 2:39 and that put me right back on track. Ryan Hall rabbited until almost 3000m and Ian Dobson and I were left to trade off laps after 3000m in 8:00, right on track. We kept switching every 400m and got through 4km in 10:40 and we were still on 13:20 pace with 400m to go. At that point I was in second and feeling really confident that I could run a 63 and book my ticket to Osaka. With 300m to go I really started hurting but I kept close enough to the pace with 200m to go. At that point I tried to pick up the pace and my legs buckled and I knew I was in serious trouble. Ian ran away from me and Jonathan Riley flew past me in the last 100m as I suffered. I came through the line completely done. The effort was there and I went for it so I cannot really ask for more. But .03??!!! still frustrating.
You can watch the whole race here http://www.flocasts.com/flotrack/coverage.php?c=74&id=4535
Looking back on a few things I wonder what would of happened if there was one more person sharing the lead in the last 2000m. Or further back and perhaps hitting a B (13:28) standard at Nationals (13:34) or Arhus (13:29) and then I would of had two B standards. If NYC wasn’t that hot… I was ready for a good one then too. I think I have the ability to get the qualifications but it just didn’t quite click. Technically I did qualify for worlds and Canada could send me but, the Canadian standards are tougher and baring a miracle I’ll be watching this one on CBC. I’m still going to train the next couple of days as though I made the team just in case, but mentally I’m not counting on going one bit.
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FLOAT ON 
Great race. Too bad you weren’t in the A. I’d take whatever appeal routes are available to you. As you described, almost a case of circumstances and opportunity. I didn’t realize until yesterday our A was tougher.
And, by the way, this is exactly why it is a ridiculous sport:
“I’ve run two PB’s in the past week (3:40.38 and 13:21.53) and somehow I still feel a little disappointed. ”
Always another goal.
And in that 1500m, you clearly ran the last 1450m faster than anyone in the field! 🙂
Are there some other races available to you in Europe / post Osaka?
Yeah…frustrating indeed, Reid.
I’m not sure what I’ll do for races but I’m not planning on anymore European races this summer. There are races after Osaka that could be good but that would be a long time between races and a third trip to Europe when I’m already paying out of my pocket.
good race reid. i wasnt as close as you but i know how you feel in a few ways.
sub 1330 2x and a 1500 pb, youre on the right track no pun intended
see you at the train station tomorrow, ill be there at 745 or so
RMac
Way to Reid.
I’m officially the second fastest Westdale distance runner. Ever.
I’ll be buying the beers next time. Let me know where and when. I think I’ll be given the night in commemoration 😉
Next time try to get the kickers in the field to throw in some help.
BTW – I ran my 13:22.08 at thet same meet in July 1996. Did you get a pen? I was going to get a t-shirt for my effort: “I finished third and ran an NT and all I got was this stupid pen – I had to make this damn t-shirt”
Awesome awesome awesome Reid…yes it’s disappointing. Use that for your next meet and run 13:10. Screw AC – they’ve never been in to development anyway ;). There will come a time when you turn down more teams than you need to tryout for.
JB
Way to Reid.
I’m officially the second fastest Westdale distance runner. Ever.
I’ll be buying the beers next time. Let me know where and when. I think I’ll be given the night in commemoration
Next time try to get the kickers in the field to throw in some more pacing help.
BTW – I ran my 13:22.08 at thet same meet in July 1996. Did you get a pen? I was going to get a t-shirt for my effort: “I finished third, ran an NR and all I got was this stupid pen – I had to make this damn t-shirt myself”
Awesome awesome awesome Reid…yes it’s disappointing. Use that for your next meet and run 13:10. Screw AC – they’ve never been into development anyway ;). There will come a time when you turn down more teams than you need to tryout for.
JB
Well done Reid!
I gotta shake my head at .03. The black and whiteness of this sport has it’s frustrations
If nothing else it’s inspiring for us fat boys at home.
PS
Great Job Reid!!! I saw the results and then watched it on FloTrack today; you are so far ahead of where you were 2 years ago. You are now running Olympic “A” standard times (or near those times) doing some front running. Just wait until you catch a race where you just get to ride the train!
See ya’ in a few days!!!