Mick and myself travelled up from Athenry for this last race in

the Mayo Series version 2003. It was my first race of that

series, having missed the others for a variety of reasons

including refereeing duties and injury.

The evening itself was cool but dry and bright. Typical late

August weather. Typical going-back-to-school/autumn evenings'

fare. Great running weather.

James Crawford and a number of the HP folk had travelled up as

had others from Athenry AC too.

Had gotten out a good bit in the few weeks leading up to the race

and run some decent times. The reffing scene had quietened down

a lot after a frenetic late Spring/early Summer. The Claregalway

10KM was three weeks previous and I wanted to do my bit to get

that race out of my system. Had been expecting much more than

43:06 that evening. Was even beaten home by Ray O'Connor there!

The Claremorris race started in the town and proceeded out the

road and up the old Knock road. It continued in a gentle upward

spiral until about 2.5 miles when we met the highway. We ran

along the new bypass for about a third of a mile and then back

onto the course we'd come out on around the three mile mark.

There were a goodly number of runners at my level and I seem to

remember a number of passing manoeuvres after the midway stage of

the race. Jackie Forde was ahead of me, as she was to be the

week after in Killimor.

From looking at my splits, it would seem that I went out very

fast but it didn't feel like that during the race. Hard to know

exactly how accurate those mile splits were! I don't remember

looking at my watch during the race itself.

Started the race with Crawford but he pulled away from me after

two miles and steadily stayed ahead of me for the rest of the

race. He finished about 35 seconds ahead of me.

Outside of that, there was nothing special about the race that

jumps to mind from this remove. I remember pressing hard during

the last half mile - in as much as it was possible for me to do

so! - but wasn't able to make up any ground on those ahead of me.

They were probably doing the same :)? I think only one, or

possibly two, passed me during the last two miles.

Mick ducked in under 28:30! Doherty finished 70 seconds ahead of

me and Daley a handful of minutes behind me.

Mick and I stayed around for the prize-giving. Not the worst

race I've ever run in, nor the best. Have my very slight doubts

about the race distance but, for now, it's my 5M best and I'm

sticking to it.

Oh, how could I forget: Leeds lost to Birmingham City 2-0 at

home. I wondered whether the loss of a probable point there -

Robinson saved the initial penalty for the re-taken first goal

with 10 minutes to go - would hurt us come the end of the

season...

6:06.76

6:22.77

6:58.15

6:52.57

6:44.50

--------

33:04.75

James.