Due to various injuries, holidays, pregnancies and general AWOL-ness, I was the sole Harrier taking part in the Brian Goodwin 10k held at Pollok Park. Hosted by Bellahouston Harriers. T
his is a popular event amongst local club runners with just shy of 400 runners buoyed by the prospect of a flat, fast course and the now famous post race BBQ and beer giveaway!
Arriving with a few niggles from our Wednesday night trail race recce, I was planning on just enjoying the event and saving myself a bit for the following Sundays Glasgow Mens 10k. I decided to pair up with an old colleague at the start line, who normally runs around a minute faster than me over 10k. The idea being that I would hang with him as long as I could before allowing him to kick on when I tired. This is the strategy I took for the first 5k, coming over the halfway mark at 21.44. Noticing I still had plenty left in the tank at this point, I kicked on and began reeling in those infront of me, taking my average pace down to 4’17/km by the end. Slightly annoyed at myself for waiting until 5k before stepping it up, as I finished strongly and definitely feel that there was potential to shave a further 30 seconds off my time.
As it was, I finished in 42.59 on my watch, and 43.00 on the official chip time (grr). No PB however a seasons best run for me, and feeling confident that I can take a good chunk of time off of that when the Bella Belter comes around in August on the same course.
The race was won by Tewodle Mehgisteab of Shettleston Harriers in 30.33, with Edel Mooney of Lothian RC first female in 37.08.
