Heffernan walks tall as everything goes to plan
It may have been well short of the 18:51.46 record he set back in the 2008 Olympic year but withoutserious competition it was a goodsolo performance.
“I was hoping the boys would go off with me,” he said. “But I took a quick glance after two laps and there was no one there. I was just holding it but then I dropped half a second and I knew it.
“It is still a brilliant time. Even my last kilometre I was able to pick it up when I was trying to lap the boys. You need the competition.
“I am trying to measure it against the 18:51 here but that’s not possible because there is no room for error at all in a performance like that.
“I’m in brilliant shape — maybe the best I’ve ever been in — I’ve had no problems with my hamstring or my ankle. Everything is perfect. It is probably the first time in seven or eight years I have no injuries. I’m delighted with that.
“I’m going to South Africa on Monday so I’ll do a really big block of training there and I’ll probably cover some 50k stuff as well without going specific 50k. Just cover basis for Daegu.
“Then I’ll come back and I’ll race Lugano on March 20 just as part of that block of training. I’ll race Rio Maior on April 9 and I’ll go to altitude in Qaudix and then I’ll get ready for the European Cup in Portugal on May 21. That’s the first half of the year.”
He was delighted with his Podium Grant from the Irish Sports Council during the week.
“It will definitely help to keep the books balanced,” he said. “I can go away and plan things. I’m not going to have the situations I had last year.”
Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers) who has already booked his place on the Irish team for the European indoor championships, provided the perfect send off when he won the 400m in a new championship record of 47.01 secs.
“This would not be the fastest track,” he said. “I’m thrilled with the performance. I looked at a championship best performance coming in here and I got it. I ran 47.57 last year and a week later I ran 46.68 so I hope all goes well.”
There was a sensational finish to the men’s 800m when young Mark English (Letterkenny AC) snatched the lead from his clubmate, Darren McBrearty, on the penultimate lap and held on to win in 1:51.62.
It was the second time this season that the 17-year-old junior record holder beat McBrearty who is ranked 10th in Europe approaching the European indoor championships.
McBrearty was second in 1:52.08 while Niall Tuohy (Ferrybank AC), a former schools champion, continued his recuperation after long term injury by finishing third in 1:52.26.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
