Friday, April 20, 2007

My pacing plan

OK, here's the plan for my half marathon tomorrow. Flat as flat can be (one bridge at mile 0.5 and otherwise pancake-like).

Weather forecast for tomorrow has changed to 48*F and ZERO wind at the start. That means I can wear just a singlet and shorts and maybe a throwaway long-sleeve tshirt and not totally become a popsicle before the start. Carrying 2 gels, ID on my shoe, and that's it.

I think even splits is the way to go. I'd really like to finish below an 11:00 min/mile pace, with a 2:24 or better finish time for a PR for my fifth half marathon out of my spring series of five.

Right now I'm thinking go off at 10:50-10:55 and try to hang right there steady-eddie the whole race; gels at mile 4 and 9 or thereabouts when I hit a water station. Kick it in gear at mile 9.1-9.5 and gradually increase the pace with whatever I have left. (Which sometimes is much slower than I start out, even giving it everything). (I've found lately that when I kicked it in a little later, like at mile 10.5-11.0, I sometimes felt like I had some energy left at the finish line and might have gone faster).

Any thoughts or recommendations?

11 comments:

Fe-lady said...

Recommendations...HAVE a blast! I am racing tomorrow also..so will be thinking of you! (But you will be DONE as I start...damn!) :-)

LeahC said...

I think your plan sounds great! I am a big fan of kicking it at the end because I always end up feeling better than if I had started too fast. Good luck and have fun racing!

*jeanne* said...

I think your strategies have gotten you FABULOUS results all year. Do what you think is the best for you, and be open to changing plans if the day doesn't go as planned.

WTG! I'll be with you in spirit! And looking forward to day when I can run alongside you again!

jeanne said...

good luck!

Steve Stenzel said...

GOOD LUCK!!!

21stCenturyMom said...

That sounds like a most excellent plan. Also, when you get to mile 11 find someone who is running a little faster than you (as in just up ahead), chase them and then stick to them as though they had volunteered to pace you in. If others start to pass you find the next person.

If you PR by too much it will be ON, Nancy - it will be SO ON as I will have to register for a 1/2 Mary and beat your PR!

Nancy Toby said...

Heh, I'll consider that a challenge! Game ON!!

Spokane Al said...

My only recommendation - enjoy yourself and keep smiling as you celebrate your 50th year on this great rock.

Comm's said...

I always try to stay on my goal pace start to finish including my stops in it.

If i know every nine minutes I will walk a minute and I want to do a ten minute mile, I know my running pace needs to be nine minutes.

have fun

TriGirl 40 said...

Have a great race - and wishing you that well deserved PR!

Unknown said...

Best of luck Nancy! Have fun!