picking marathon pace (Read 966 times)

The idea of running by feel is a good one, but I think it's hard to understand the distance until you've done it. It's difficult to have a feel for something you've never done, especially in the case of the marathon. Bad things happen above 20 miles. Things that make people never run again. You should probably go out at least with the 4:00 group (perhaps slower) if only to keep your speed down in the first 10 miles, but not worry about them too much. After the taper it's pretty easy to feel like you're good to go for a new US record. I agree with other people, if you feel good at 18 - 20 miles, perhaps then refocus on bringing it home in a particular time. Also, be aware that the fast pace groups (may include 4:00) often will not really slow at water stops. If you plan to run with them, check their plans for this before the race. You will either need to get good at taking in water on the run, or run ahead of the group to get a little more time. Nothing will kill the last part of your marathon faster than dehydration.

My first marathon was a lousy experience....Oh yes, it started off great then started to fall about around 17-18.....Then it was a sort of hobble/walk/shuffle/limp/semi-jog the rest of the way to the finish...I puked up all my fluids in a back alley an hour after the finish...My IT Band was shot and I couldn't run consistently for four months... I plan on my second one being much more enjoyable... DO NOT GO OUT TOO FAST!!!! Go out slow...You can always speed up!!!

I think you're totally going to be able to do it! I dont' know your plan, nor am I by any means a running expert, but make sure you be careful with your long run days! Don't get too ambitious and run a lot of 20+ mile runs in back to back weeks. Make sure you take an "easy" week every 3 weeks or so. Your long runs for the last 3 weeks have totalled ~50% of your weekly mileage. Looking back at my first marathon in October, I see now that I was probably doing too long of long runs (20-23mi) relative to my weekly milage, and I would have been more efficient in my training had I upped the mileage of my mid-week training instead of the long runs. While I didn't get injured, I often felt like I was on the brink. You don't want to get hurt! My 2 cents. Perhaps some more running educated people can weight in on this? Again, and for what its worth, I totally think you're going to break the 4hr mark!

I ran my first marathon last month, without a time goal, and I enjoyed it a lot. After chatting with some people in the first several miles, I wound up picking a running partner to stay with for the next 15 miles, who was going a slow/easy/disciplined pace, and I enjoyed it. Then about mile 22, I decided my feet were starting to hurt and I didn't want to stop to walk the water breaks anymore, so I cordially said goodbye to my erstwhile running partner, and sped up the remainder, to finish "fast" (maybe about 8min/mi, but it felt fast, and was fun ) I was happy to have a slow first marathon, because I wanted to be comfortable, and to have a pace that I could comfortably improve the next time, and I think I'll probably improve it by 30min when it comes around next year. (However, I still don't know what the "wall" is like.)