Cris Walsh's Racing Blog: Jimmy Irvine 10k

Results | Garmin Data | Photos

The Achilles Heel Jimmy Irvine Bella 10K takes place in Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park every November. I'd been looking forward to this race all week so I meet team BBC (Bryan, Alan and Graham) early for a quick warmup before making our way up to the start. There's a good buzz about the park and the weather is perfect, crisp and clear with blue skies.

By the time we get to the start there's around 400+ runners lined up, the front row a hotch potch of club vests and brightly coloured race shoes. After a quick race brief from Robert McEwan the air horn sounds and we're off..

3, 2, 1..

Start - 3km
I stay wide on the left hand side watching my footing and jostling for position. As we approach the first tight left hander I'm in a group of four consisting of David Hunter (Perth Road Runners #483), Scott Kennedy (Bellahouston Roadrunners #123) and Alex Chalmers (Garscube Harriers #481) and me #117. We speed past the Palace of Art and Bellahouston Leisure Centre towards the park's south exit gate (3km). I hear words of encouragement from coaches Tony and Erica which gives me a lift.

4km - 6km

Over the next km I feel strong and maintain my position. I look ahead and see Robert Gilroy leading the race (how did he get so far ahead so quickly?) then catch my first glimpse of Rosie, Hannah and Holly standing by the 5km marker, big smiles all round. Scott Kennedy slows down and stops on the sidelines. Injured or binned it, dunno.

5km - looking towards Rosie with David Hunter and Alex Chalmers

7km - 9km
Everythings going great until my left lace comes undone. I deal with it but lose two places, schoolboy error. At 7km I'm tiring... my breathing is heavy and my form is going, I question whether I can keep the pace going. David Hunter seems to be pulling away and negative thoughts are starting to infest. I need a plan fast. I look up, bare autumn trees everywhere. I lock onto them, every corner bringing a new outline. It seems to work, at 8.5km I've closed down David Hunter and pass Alex Chalmers on a small incline.

Finish
1km to go and Graeme Croll of Giffnock North pulls up beside me. I can hear he's tired so I increase the pace enough to see him off. With 200m to go I start sprinting towards the finish...