Irvine Marymass 10k

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There were several reasons for going to the Marymass 10k tonight:

1. To test out my shiny new Adidas Adios Racing Shoes that I got from Achilles Heel
2. To check that the re-measured course really is 10k, after all the hoo-hah from last year with the course being 200 metres short
3. To stop the rot of dropping out of races and only taking photos
4. To see if I could post a slightly better 10k time that might count in my favour towards selection towards the British and Irish Masters Cross Country in Dublin
5. To get out of the house and see a few familiar faces including Ian Goudie and John Kynaston

The race was a bit late starting, but once underway conditions were pretty much perfect apart from a slight headwind after the turn.

I went through the first km in 3:25, which was fast but not ridiculously fast. As the field started to spread during kilometre 2, I was trying to decide whether to put in the effort to close the gap to Andy Campbell (Bella Harriers) and Mayeul Ducrot (Ayr Seaforth), thinking it might help to sit in behind them. But for fear of blowing up I just sat off them at a distance of 20 or 30 metres, and essentially ran the race on my own.

At the turn I was aware of bunch ready to pounce if I faded. But on the return I actually felt quite strong and was pretty sure I would catch Andy and Mayeul, however the only person I caught was Stephen Daye of North Ayrshire, and the only person to pass me after the first half kilometre was Mike McQuaid of Falkirk, who took the first V40 prize.

I was pleased to finish in 36:20, which is a massive season's best for 2010, and perhaps a step in the right direction.