All Ireland Indoor Race Report 27/04/10

This weekend saw Conor Murphy in action, Conor was competing in the U17 1500m. It was scheduled over the two days, heats on Saturday with the final on Sunday. I had hoped that it would be a straight final as Nenagh is not a great venue and its tough on athletes and parents driving up and down both days.

Anyway Conor's race was list for 3pm and we arrived in plenty of time, Conor did his own thing and I watched the sprints as there were a number of Kildare Athletes in action.

Conor knew his race plan, he was to stay focused and work hard throughout the race. He went into the call room, the race wasn't going to be a straight final there would be two heats, first 3 from each heat and the 2 fastest would qualify for the final. Conor was drawn in the first heat, so was the current Leinster champion. Race started and they were bunched together, with the lead changing a number of times over the first 5 laps, the pace was nice and steady with 36seconds - 37:84 the time over the first 4 laps, lap 5 saw the pace drop to 38:84, lap six saw a quicken of pace and when they turned the bend into the final lap the first 3 athletes stepped up a gear. Conor was in 3rd place but on the shoulder of the guy in second, it was neck and neck coming into the home straight, final lap 32:72, Conor qualified in 3rd place for the final. Job Done and a new PB.

We watched the 2nd heat with great interest, one athlete took an early lead and stayed out in front for the 7.5 laps, he finished way ahead of his competitors. All athletes in 2nd heat appeared to be slower than Conor's heat save the winner of the heat, the exact times were not up when we were leaving. Conor was supported on the day by his dad and sister.

Unfortunately I was unable to travel down on Sunday to see Conor in the final, but he had lots of support from his mum, dad and sister. I don't know exactly how the race went but the lad who won the 2nd heat (i'll have to look up his name) won the All-Ireland title, followed by the 1,2,3 from Conor's heat, so Conor finished in 4th position, which is the toughest place to finish, but Conor took another 3seconds of his time from the previous day. Conor did say that his quads were on fire on lap 5, he's very happy with his performance and he's looking forward to the track season.

Well done and onwards and upwards! Photo to follow!