3 Seconds away... kinda

“I have failed over and over again. And that is why I succeed.”

… just not on this day.

Before we get into the painful sub-20 attempt on Tuesday, what in fresh turkey hell is going on with my right arm in that first pic?! 😳😳😳 It looks like some messed up, dislocated velociraptor arm!

It was supposed to be a 10k run, but after messing up the 5k strategy plan last month, I put the marathon training plan on hold for one more month to get this sub-20 monkey off my back (and head!)

I got a good start, settled in for the next 3k but struggled to stay under the 4min/km pace consistently. I got the extra burst in the last km and thought I still had a chance. When I turned the 2nd last corner, I knew it was out of reach. I slowed for a second before getting one last burst to cross the line at 20:22 (and 17th overall in the 5k race). A PB but well short of sub 20.

After a few minutes of lying down and feeling like 🤢🤢🤢, I checked the phone. Garmin had me down at 20:03 5k. 3 seconds short. While it would’ve been a hollow win, 3 seconds was 💔

It’s entirely in my head now; I know on my best day, I have it in me. I just have to prove it.

But not now. I’ve got the small matter of my first 80k trail run coming up in 8 weeks and 13 plus weeks away from the Dublin Marathon.

The sub-20 5k will have to wait because the mileage needs to go up as I’m locked in on a sub 3:30 marathon in October.

But I will get that sub-20 someday!

#LetsGoGetEmAgain