Same time different race

This Wednesday was the second in the series of Yeovilton 5k where I managed to run exactly the same time as last month of 15:42 for 2nd place but the way I ran to finish in that time was totally different to the previous race. Was working a normal shift for a change but all day at work was feeling far more tired than usual proberly because the change of shift as having been on lates for weeks before, to go straight back to early starts was struggling to get to sleep at a reasonable hour! Tried perking myself up with the usual can of redbull a few hours before but driving there from work was really struggling to keep my eyes open!! On the warm up all I could think about was going to bed when home so safe to say my mind wasnt really up for the race. Anyway a few splashes of cold water on the face and aggressive strides and was on the start line and race started. Where last month there was a good group of us and the pace was fairly steady, this month was a much faster start and I wasnt feeling comfortable right from the off. Managed to keep in touch with clubmate Jon James until 3.5k when the shouders tightened and slowly came off the back and just about hung on to second place. Last month I felt very strong but this time felt very heavy and just generally knackered so considering how I felt I would have snapped your hand off if you said before the race I would run 15:42 again with how I was feeling! This really made me aware of how important sleep is several days before a race as was even sleepy once the race started. With the shift pattern the way it is there isnt really anything I can do to change this as have always struggled during the first week of a change in shifts expecially from late to early and when I try to get to bed earlier im just wide awake. I know im capable of faster just going by last few speed sessions compared with the sessions before last months race as they have been a lot quicker expecially the 5k paced sessions so I know its there its just getting everything right on the day. Next race is the Wells 10k and after that will signal the start of some real fast sessions on the track to get the legs ticking over better ready for a few burn ups over 1500meters/5000 meters on track.

1 0:15:25 JAMES, Jon Wells City Harriers Male Veteran 40 639 1
2 0:15:42 GRIST, Peter Wells City Harriers Senior Male 508 2
3 0:15:47 BURTON, Miles Team Bath Junior Male 527 3
4 0:15:56 COOPER, Tristan Wells City Harriers Senior Male 685 4
5 0:16:37 YOUNG, Kieran Bristol & West/Portishead Junior Male 562 5