What’s in a pace target.
The last few weeks have been interesting. I have fantastic support from my running peers as they all want to see me qualify for Boston for the first time. So do I for the record.
Most of the comments have been of the nature to just run only as much as I need to qualify. This would be a 4:59 min/km pace. The challenge with this is that it’s not the speed that I trained at. If you’re going to run 4:59 I believe that you have to train at or around that pace. I’ve not had good success with running just below the Boston qualifying pace in the past.
This brings me to the crux of the matter. My position is that I need to race at the paces that I’ve trained at and can run comfortably at for the whole distance. Not necessarily to the second but within a reasonable range of these times. This does not mean that I need to race at my top end. That would still be foolish.
After a lot of soul searching and stress I came to the realization that this pace means a pace that is comfortable for me, a pace that I can sustain, a pace that I have demonstrated on my long runs. Is it 4:59, no; is it 4:30 who knows. All I know is that I will get into a comfortable groove next Sunday, a groove that I can sustain for the whole race.
I don’t think I will know exactly what the pace will be until Sunday. This was what happened in Montreal 3 weeks ago for the 1/2 marathon and what I expect will happen next week in Mississauga. I do expect that the taper will give me more energy to sustain the pace.
I don’t want to be a fool on Sunday either. Translation: I don’t want to get too competitive in the 1st 20k. In Montreal, one of my key success factors was getting competitive with those around me during the middle and later parts of the race. This is will be okay after 20k, not before.
I do expect that I will push the pace, not let people pace me and in general strive for a strong second half pace. Key phrase is second half. Again who knows what that pace will be.
One of the things I liked about my last race pace long run was that I didn’t look at the watch until after it was over. I still hit a good solid sustainable pace. I needed to be able to run by feel and that has been happening. This is a good confidence builder going into the weekend.
In summary: run by feel; run within myself; run competitively in the 2nd half. Oh and drink lots of fluids along the way. And that my friends is my final answer.
Most of the comments have been of the nature to just run only as much as I need to qualify. This would be a 4:59 min/km pace. The challenge with this is that it’s not the speed that I trained at. If you’re going to run 4:59 I believe that you have to train at or around that pace. I’ve not had good success with running just below the Boston qualifying pace in the past.
This brings me to the crux of the matter. My position is that I need to race at the paces that I’ve trained at and can run comfortably at for the whole distance. Not necessarily to the second but within a reasonable range of these times. This does not mean that I need to race at my top end. That would still be foolish.
After a lot of soul searching and stress I came to the realization that this pace means a pace that is comfortable for me, a pace that I can sustain, a pace that I have demonstrated on my long runs. Is it 4:59, no; is it 4:30 who knows. All I know is that I will get into a comfortable groove next Sunday, a groove that I can sustain for the whole race.
I don’t think I will know exactly what the pace will be until Sunday. This was what happened in Montreal 3 weeks ago for the 1/2 marathon and what I expect will happen next week in Mississauga. I do expect that the taper will give me more energy to sustain the pace.
I don’t want to be a fool on Sunday either. Translation: I don’t want to get too competitive in the 1st 20k. In Montreal, one of my key success factors was getting competitive with those around me during the middle and later parts of the race. This is will be okay after 20k, not before.
I do expect that I will push the pace, not let people pace me and in general strive for a strong second half pace. Key phrase is second half. Again who knows what that pace will be.
One of the things I liked about my last race pace long run was that I didn’t look at the watch until after it was over. I still hit a good solid sustainable pace. I needed to be able to run by feel and that has been happening. This is a good confidence builder going into the weekend.
In summary: run by feel; run within myself; run competitively in the 2nd half. Oh and drink lots of fluids along the way. And that my friends is my final answer.
posted by --brian @ 9:02 PM
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