Paul Pollock is already back running after his exceptional run in the marathon last Saturday at the IaaFWorld athletics Championships. The Belfast doctor finished 21st in 2:16:42 and was the second European to cross the finish line behind Javier Guerra of Spain.
Pollock's performance was considered by many to be the second best by an Irish athlete in Moscow, only out-shone by Rob Heffernan's marvellous victory in the 50K Walk.
"The previous two races I had kind of gone out hard, chasing times," said Pollock.
"This time I sat down with my coach and we decided to go out slow and we'll see how well we can move through the field in the second half.
"I think I probably went too soon during the race but I didn't hit the wall or die in the last few kilometres. I was still happy enough that it was a solid enough run, I think I did myself justice anyway.
"My legs were a bit painful, even walking, the day afterwards, but I'm back to doing easy jogs again. I'll take time to recover, get some massages and plenty of rest."
Pollock gave up his full-time job in the City Hospital just two weeks before the World Championships and has now moved to Teddington in london to work with coach andrew Hobden and his training group. His thoughts are now on 2014 and he has planned an exciting double if everything works out for him.
He already has the qualifying time for the marathon at the Commonwealths, but may now do the 10,000 metres in Glasgow and save his marathon for the Europeans a few weeks later.
Meanwhile, his goal for the winter is the European Cross Country Championships in December. The 27-year-old finished 26th in these championships in 2011. last year he failed to qualify for the team. Fatigued entering the trial race after a 12-hour shift at work the previous day, he finished well outside the qualifying places. He has much higher ambitions this year.
"I'm hoping to medal at it," he added.
"I think I've underachieved in previous European Cross Countries that I've done. It's part of the goals along with a couple of others in a group that we're targeting. It's definitely part of the plan, but the main goal being to run well in the Commonwealths next year and the European Championships as well." local fans will get an early opportunity to see Pollock in action at the Bangor 10K on September 28.