Rob Heffernan 1 Mile Race
/10 Things I Think About The Rob Heffernan 1 Mile Race
1. Second Mile
I think that this was probably only my second ever mile race. My first mile race also happened to be organized by Rob Heffernan back in 2005 at the Mardyke when he was coaching UCC and I was pretty much the only runner in UCC. Just like now I had no idea about running so took off as hard as I could led for most of the mile before being passed by Rob’s brother Elton on the home straight. I ran something like 5:20 which meant that I was in with a good chance of a PB 20 years later.
2. Trepidation
I think that there is unnecessary fear of a mile race. Mile races should be way more popular than 5ks, 5ks are horrible, the pain lasts for way longer. A mile is over before you know it and you are guaranteed to finish a lot closer to the winner in a mile than in a 5k .The main issue with mile races is that it is highly possible that you will get beat by someone that you don’t want to get beat by because raw talent is probably a bit more important than training for a mile race. Well trained donkeys can beat horses in 5ks, horses always win mile races.
3. Spanish Vibes
I think that if it wasn’t for the weather the race could well have been in Spain, there was a great atmosphere in Blackrock Village where the farmers market is on a Sunday morning with a big stage and food trucks. The place was overrun with local running celebrities, Sonia, Derval, Rob Heffernan, Pa Murphy and even John Meade. Just around the corner was the finishing line with the start at the City end of the Marina near Cortado. It was a proper event with Graham Meikle not only measuring the 1 mile course but also taking photos.
4. UnSpanish Weather
I think that it was very unluckly that the weather was not like in Spain. I always wondered what they would do in Spain at a race if it was raining. In Cork we just get on with it, I suppose in Spain it would at least be warm. It would probably have been ok if there had of been a howling westerly wind to blow us from one end of the Marina to the other but instead the rain came in these useless swirling squalls that did nothing but make you wish that you were in Spain.
5. Childminding Relay
I think it was great that there were separate men’s and women’s races as it meant that Rhona and I could both run without the need for Billy minding. It was a slight logistical challenge as there was 15 minutes between the start of each race so once Rhona crossed the line 4th in 6 minutes I had to run quite fast back down the Marina to make it to the start which I just about managed. It made for a good warm up.
6. I Really Shouldn’t Be Here
I think that it was very intimidating up on the start line of the race. I was surrounded by fellas that I knew would destroy me in a 10 x 400m repeat session. I was pretty sure I was going to be left behind at the start, my main concern was not falling or knocking over one of the fellas who were going for the sub 4-minute mile.
7. Pumaflys
I think that the biggest change in running since I did my first mile race back in 2005 has been the shoes. We now have magic shoes not the suction boots that we used to have to run in. The Puma Fast R3s are probably about 300g lighter than whatever shoe I wore back in 2005, combined with ridiculously bouncy foam and a carbon plate. They are so so good for this sort of race where you are up on your toes for the whole race. I’m so glad that these were invented just in time for my 40s.
8. Proper Track Athlete
I think that I was surprised at how the race unfolded. I had fully expected to be left behind at the start. My fears were correct but only two fellas and Italian and a Romanian left me behind. I found myself surprised in fourth or fifth once we went through about 400m. The Pumas are so good that I was able to overtake Denis Coughlan who is a proper actual track runner and move up into third. I got to 1 kilometer still in third which I kind of didn’t believe. I still felt ok mainly because of the Pumas so I decided to try and run harder which amazingly resulted in me even opening a little gap. Maybe I’ve been doing the wrong event all this time.
9. Away Victory
I think that the last 200m of the race was pretty inevitable. My hopes of a third place finish and the €200 prize evaporated withing sight of the line as a fella in a grey t-shirt tore by on the left at a speed that I have never run at nor will ever run at. Some how I was still ahead of Denis but I could see him out of the corner of my eye. I just about got to the chip timing line ahead of him which was excellent and probably horrifying to Denis.
10. Giant Cheque
I think that the feeling after a mile race is wonderful. I haven’t had that mixture of breathlessness and pain in a long time. It is way more fun than a marathon, why does anyone run marathons? The post race event back in Blackrock village was great especially as both Rhona and I got to go up on the stage to collect prizes for 4th place. It was unfortunate that we didn’t get top 3 as they even had a giant cheque for the prize. I’ve always wanted a photo with a giant cheque. Maybe next year, it might be time to move down in distance and give up the marathons.
