After breaking the 40 minute barrier the previous month, and being only 5 seconds from 39 minutes, a target of 38.30 on a fast course was daring but not impossible.
Weather conditions were decent on the night - cool although the usual winds blowing up the Severn estuary which could have an effect on the 2nd half of the course. I felt in OK shape - good recent form but midway through moving house with the obvious stresses and strains which accompany that kind of madness.
I set out at a fast pace, clocking 6.04 for the first mile, and negotiating the first 5k in 19.15, exactly on course for my target. After 1/2 way, however, I began to feel distracted and struggled to keep motivated. My splits were getting up to 6.30, the last mile seemed endless and it was only in the last 400m that I realised sub - 39 was still possible and a late burst got me 38.55 and 40th/450.
A PB nonetheless, but all in all a disappointing run - felt like real effort in the last 1/2, but 10 minutes after the race I felt pretty OK and as if my body (clearly not my mind though) was capable of more.