Race Strategy – Planning a Pace
Like other competitive walkers, I have goals.
Sometimes it is as simple as finishing a race with friends. Sometimes I plan to beat one specific person. (Sorry Pat.)
Sometimes, I have planned and trained for an entire year just to PR in the same half marathon that I didn’t PR in last year – by 12 seconds.
This is the year with the bold, aggressive plan for a big PR at the Columbus Marathon half tomorrow.
Typically, I am confident with my training. I follow my schedule and I’m ready. This year is a little bit different. I have finished a lot of half marathons in a very short amount of time. This Columbus Marathon will be my 6th half marathon this year and my third in five weeks.
I need a race plan if I’m going to accomplish this goal. I can’t just line up at the start and wing it.
So for the last couple of hours, I have been studying my half marathon history. (Thank goodness for Garmin Connect!) Do I typically speed up at the end? Do I usually start races slow? What is my fastest mile? Can I be fast in the last mile?
My goal is a 2:51 half marathon. And that pace scares me. Why? I was at that pace last year – only one second per mile slower. I can be a second per mile faster, I know I can. But when you look at what it mean per mile — wow. I never thought I could get that fast.
So, now I really need to make a plan. It’s getting late, I need to go to bed, and I need a plan.
Why am I stressing? I got this!
Read more about why I continue to enter this half marathon at 10 Things to Like about the Columbus Marathon (Half).
(492)
Comments
Congrats on your PR Cindi. Keep up the good work.
Tom
Congrats on your PR Cindi. Keep up the good work.
Tom