Have been considering this for a while now. If you're running a half in the next couple of weeks in your FLM build-up, what would your race strategy be?
Is it better to go at your hoped-for Marathon pace and judge by your condition at the end as to whether it is realistic/optimistic/pessimistic?
OR go full on for the half-marathon PB, and then assess your potential marathon pace using the various pace-judging charts around and/or the Horwill +16secs per mile strategy?
I'm undecided as I have also read it could take too much out of you to do a full half-marathon pB attempt this close to the marathon particularly considering that you may have v.long steadies planned for the weeks before and after the half.
opinions welcomed...
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Perhaps the best option would be to take a middle line approach - faster than marathon race pace but slower than half marathon PB attempt pace? Not quite sure what the purpose of that would be though!
I like this idea.
He thinks that would be of more benefit that another long slow run, so giving an indicator of target for the FLM. This is despite my longest run being only 17 miles so far, and it means I will only have two more long runs afterwards before tapering.
Mmmm. I'll stick with the advice but we shall see....
1. The more intense workout over 13.1 miles will make you more efficient when running 26.2 mile at your slower marathon pace.
2. It gives you a chance to try out proper racing conditions. i.e. at the end you can decide whether you went too hard or held back too much. It's a break from the long slow or steady runs on Sundays.
Still leaves you not knowing what your ultimate marathon pace might be!
My alternative is that I pace the girlf but this means a not very long run at well over steady run pace. Maybe a double is in order. 13.1 slow in the morning, 7m marathon pace in the evening?
choices, choices, eh?
Recent race experience is pretty important in being able to judge your level of exertion. Got caught out with this last year when doing a stint of 4 races in October after a break from racing for well over a year. Started too far back, went off too easy in one, too fast in another, etc, etc...
Without some hard racing, i.e. PB attempts, then that experience might not be there to draw on.
I ran Reading Half last weekend and got a PB, by about 8 minutes, finishing in 1:39.
I understand the theroy of not overdoing it and getting injued, but I would add into that the psychological effect of running well.
I dont think I am alone in my thoughts about doing enough training, enough hills, speed work etc.
A PB now is just the tonic needed to tell you that you are running well.
On the other hand, it might not take that much effort to run a PB given the amount of training already under my belt, and given that the volume is much greater than if I were to be training only for a half.
I'm think of starting at current half PB pace, then picking up after about 8 miles if I'm feeling good. If legs feel tired I'll just try to sustain the current pace.
My strategy is going to be running as fast as possible but without racing, I mean, at an even pace, faster than marathon pace, and hopefully PB half marathon pace.
The point is not to get injured and to be able to train during the next week.
I believe that it can give me confidence for the race day.
From Seville, Spain.
P.B: 2:29:12
Good luck, Chaos!
I also think it depends how fit you are now compared to when you last ran your half PB. I had a half last weekend, aimed to start out easy (but slightly faster than marathon pace). Felt so much fitter/easier than my last half (Oct 2004) so increased speed from mile 10 and did a PB of 2 minutes.
Now I've got a 20m race this weekend, which I'm really aiming to do at marathon pace or slightly slower in the first half.
If you're not sure and think missing a PB target will have a negative effect, then don't aim for it, but if you feel good on the day...go for it.
Pants - "Is she not used to you letting her down yet!?!?!? ;-)" . honestly, not sure I should even reply to that. So I won't!