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GNR: Runners World Pace Groups
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Has anybody run with the pace groups on the GNR before? Do they do that negative split thing for half marathons? Can't make my mind up whether to go for my steady pace or run with the group. I did 1:36 last year and I'm hoping to either match it or beat it this year.
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Drop them a quick email and ask.
It's our first year pacing the GNR. The idea is for us to run at a steady pace. However, the size of the field at the Great North means that the first mile or two are, unless we're very lucky, likely to be slower than the desired pace. This means that we'll have to gradually get up to race pace, which in turn means that we will probably end up with a negative split. Hope that made sense!
Hi
forgive me for what's probably a dumb question, but can someone explain what 'negative splits' are ?
Cheers,
MikeB
My understanding is that you cruise the first half of the race, getting steadily into your rythmn and then up the pace for the second half. Helps avoid going out too fast and dying after the halfway mark I guess. I've only tried it once (at London this year) and unfortunately it wasn't a good day for me anyway.
Many thanks for the info,
Rob,
You said: "the first mile or two are, unless we're very lucky, likely to be slower than the desired pace".
Likely to be slower than what pace? 1:30, 1:45 or "Get You Round"?
This is my first year of running and also my first 1/2 so I don't know what to expect and I'm not quick but my last training run (Saturday) was 2:13 and I'd dearly like to do better than 2:10 on the day.
In view of this, I'd love to have a go with a 2:00 pacing group and drop back if I can't cut it. However, there isn't a 2:00 group.
Any suggestions as to I should pace myself to get around in under 2:10.
Regards,
MikeB
Here's my "silly" question with the pacing groups when you say 1:30 pace do you mean 1:30 from crossing the line, or 1:30 from the start of the race? Bearing in mind the delay in getting to the start on most big races this would mean going round in about 1:15, I hope 1:30 pace means "real" running time.
If you go to the website onrunning.com they have a race pace facility where you type in desired time and it works out times for each mile for you. Hope this helps.
Good luck!!
Must get some more sponsors
Im 14000 and something
Where are you staying the night before, Im in Durham
Mikey, I have this silly idea that I might be able to aim for 2 hours as well - I've done a 54:21 10K, around 13 miles in 2hrs20 in training, have reached ideal running weight and feel just ready for this race. Do you have a fancy stopwatch that lets you plug in mile splits and things? If so, we could start our own breakaway 2-hour pacing group. Or just run together. There are bound to be plenty of people who are nowhere near 1:45 but slightly more ambitious than 2:30
Niggle - the sub 1-30 time is from the gun, so it will be a little quicker than 1:30 overall. We're confident that this group won't take 15-minutes to cross the line. Especially as I'm in no shape to run 1:15!!!
V-rap,
no, my watch isn't fancy. I can just set it to beep at certain times.
A friend who's also done the gnr a number of times has said that not only can it take a while to cross the start line, but that if you start too close to the back, you can also end up walking for the first mile!
My worry is that If this happens, I could end up having to run the rest of the race at much higher pace to get under 2:10
Mikey
Never thought I would care! This running bug has bitten me badly.
See you all there if the on call doenst kill me first(no sleep again last night)