Dominic's RTE Report.

BHAA RTE 5 Mile
I've done this race a few times before, 2009 (31:25) and 2010 (29:37), so it's always nice to check progress. Although the plan heading to this wasn't eyeballs out, this changed in the 1st 400mts.

Got an easy warm up in, plus a few strides and felt pretty loose and relaxed before the off. Chatted to a few familiar faces before we got called to the start.
Having done this race before I knew the start could be a bit of a melee with a narrow gate to navigate shortly after 100mts, so my plan was to get a fast start and then relax into my planned sub 6min pace and just tick a sub 30 box.

The start was hectic, but I got a decent one and once through the gate I was felling good and just went with the flow.
I'm feeling pretty relaxed and settle into a group of peeps that I normally wouldn't expect to be rubbing shoulders with, namely Tom O'Connor a very decent Master and Orla Drumm who would eventually chick me . Mile 1 is a pretty slick 5:36 and I'm running close to 5k pace, but feck it!
Mile 2 and the pace still feels fine the group splits up and I hang on the back of the 2nd group - 5:42.
Mile 3 and I'm starting to work hard, I feel the breathing increase and the HR is noticeably higher, a small group come past, I tag on for a while, but can't stick with them - 5:47.
Mile 4 and I'm swimming in lactic, I've probably ran 5k in about 17:36 and I've nearly 2 miles running left, I'm playing with pace and stride length a bit to help flush the legs as sweat begins to leak from every pore. Hold it together somewhat together for a 5:50.
Mile 5 I go looking for a lift in pace, but it's not there, I'm maxed out and this is about survival and switching off. I haven't been passed or passed anyone in about a mile (apart from back markers) but I'm maintaining the gap to Tom in front. 2nd last corner I feel like I'm lifting the pace, through the gate one last time and Tom is closer, but not close enough as I slowly increase the pace, my kick is AWOL - 5:47.
I missed judged the finish, I thought it was further around the corner, seen 28:4X, stopped my watch at 28:46.
Walked a bit, attempted a puke, had a drink of water, crouched on the grass, got myself together, warm down followed by the obligatory cuppa and brack. Happy Out.
Official time 28:42
Place: 26th
M45: 3rd
36 sec Master's PB, 55 sec course PB.