I’m still struggling to comprehend how good yesterday was. It’s overwhelming evidence that your training plans and methods work perfectly. Not only am I physically in great condition but mentally too. Although I started fast, I stayed humble and didn’t allow myself to get carried away by what my pace was in the first 15 miles. Sub 9 hours was the target and there it stayed until I’d got to 35 miles. I then knocked small bits off my target, with each few miles. I still didn’t accept that I was on for a time of under 8:15, until I was 3 miles from the finish. This is completely the opposite to how I’ve run races in the past, having allowed myself to get too ahead of myself early on, then when I slow down, I get disappointed and it just gets worse and worse. I was able to run up parts of both of the last hills, which is further proof of how I’ve trained well. Yesterday’s performance is even more incredible, when you factor in that I had been awake since 1:30am! Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to sleep well before a big race🤦🏻♂️😂. I see no reason now why I can’t go under 20 hours for the 100 miler in October, but let’s get the 145 out of the way first 🤣. Thank you once again for yours and Jax’s support 🧡
I’d go as far as saying that was a perfectly executed plan and race. You looked so strong each time you went past, way more comfortable than some of the other runners we saw which gave me great confidence you would see it through. Felt like the pacing was spot on, a bit quick at the beginning, but nothing major to effect you towards the end. I think with this type of running we do have to continue to be sensible with the way you train from a longevity point of view, but it does to show how well you can perform without smashing out silly mileage each week. So nice to see your family there to support you at the end and just how proud they are 🧡 Superb effort Joe. Forget the coach stuff for a minute, just proud of you as a mate for who you’ve become in these last 18 months and now what you’ve achieved. Keep it up.