Sandgate parkrun 16;43 & 16;23 1st BRRC 25km 1;30;46 1st

13th May Sandgate parkrun was a pretty labored affair where I only just managed to out sprint Craig Macklin for the win in 16;43. The windy conditions did have some influence on times.

13th May Sandgate parkrun

I actually felt guilty sprinting for a win at parkrun 13th May 2017

Taking it super easy in my Shaftesbury Harriers onesy 13th May Sangate parkrun

20th May Sandgate parkrun. 
I took an easy week bringing the mileage down to experiment performance differential.
As has been the case at Sandgate recently, I had company at least for the first half again. With Craig Macklin seemingly running well within himself keeping me company along with some youngsters. 
I wore the Asics Sortie Magic shoes which were fine up till we hit the wet wooden section running along the pier and back. I had to tip toe the 800m down and back as I felt the shoes slipping with every step. As for the 180 o turnaround, I was very very careful! I was only able to gap Craig after we got off the pier and ran back the 2km to the finish along the dry concrete esplanade.
I was happy to cross the line in 16;23 official time. Craig ran a 4 sec PB (16;39) which proved to me that the conditions were better and my taper contributed to a 
20 second improvement.
93.79% Top spot in Australia for age grading (28,430 runners).

Company for first half Sandgate parkrun 20th May 2017

16;23 Sandgate parkrun 5km 20th May 2017

The following day was a Brisbane Road Runners Club race day.We had the choice of running 5/10/15/20 or 25km by choosing 1,2,3,4 or 5 laps. 
I chose 5 laps. 
Conditions were warmer and more humid than expected but I shot off with real intent opening with a 3;20 KM. 
I had a goal to go for the M55 25km single age world record (1;29;56 Ray Hatton 13th Sept 1987 Eugene Oregon) http://www.arrs.net/SA_R25K.htm
I needed to run 5 x18;00 minute 5km laps. 
I went through the first lap in 17;41 which wasn't exactly comfortable but good to build up some buffer. I was running by myself though granted with 10 x 180 o turnarounds I saw the rest of the field multiple times. 
Through the 2nd lap (10km) in 35;46 I didn't have the mental agility to work out that lap had cost 18;04. 
I had felt the previous days 16;23 in my legs from the outset and some self doubt started to creep in.The 3rd lap 15km in 54;04, a 18;18 for the lap. 
54 minutes had some meaning to me as I ran a 53;59 15km here in the humidity of the summer and also a 54;33 15km again in the Summer. 'Only have to hang on for 10km!'
The 4th lap I remember feeling quite good, I was feeling strong in phases but I ran a 18;24 my slowest 5km for a 1;12;28 20km. 
That second 10km was 36;41.
The mental anguish of racing 5 x 5km laps was eased as I finally got onto the last lap 
- only one parkrun to go!
I managed to hold it together OK to finish the last 5km in 18;17 for 1;30;46. 
I knew the age record was gone by lap 4 but was pleased with this result which will rank 3rd all time in the M55-59 age category http://www.arrs.net/Veterans/VR4_R25K.htm
A M56 has run 1;28.
BRRC 25km

results https://brisbaneroadrunners.org/wp/download/Race_Results/rac2017/rac201705/rac20170507_2/RAC20170521_25k.pdf

Of course I appreciate the 25km is a rarely raced distance (specially in Australia and the UK) but seems it is raced in the States and Europe. 
I intend to put a mark on the rankings for every distance 5km, 10km, 15km 20km 25km and 30km.
There is a 30km option at BRRC in a fortnights time.
The World age record for M55 for 30km looks very easy http://www.arrs.net/SA_R30K.htm  however that's only  because the mighty Norm Green didn't run one till he was 56 and then he ran 1;46 !! - that's out of my league but I will aim for a sub 1;50 to see if I can  add my name to the M55-59 30km rankings http://www.arrs.net/Veterans/VR4_R30K.htm

BRRC 25km 1;30;46 1st ave 3;33'kms not smiling

The reward