Which pacers?

lachin

Hi,

I'm relatively new to running and doing the dungarvan 10 next week. I'm unsure as to which pacers to run with.

Yesterday was my long run day. I ran 14km in 1:16:12 without killing myself. Now I had planned all along on going with the 90 min pacers, now I'm thinking 85 and also wondering would I be pushing myself too much and being unrealistic in runing with the 80 group?

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

HelenAnne

How much over the ten-mile distance have you run in your long runs? Would you have the endurance to hold a faster pace than you're used to for ten miles?

MrCreosote

Sounds like you'd manage 85 tomorrow without pacers.

I'd go with the "race-day boost" and the 80 min pacers myself.

lachin

My long runs have never gone over 10 miles, up to November I never ran more than 5k.


I was hoping that maybe I might manage to stick with the 80 group on race day, on the basis of adrenaline etc on the day itself. However at the same time I don't want to be over ambitious and unrealistic so perhaps 85 would be better for me.


I'm probably overthinking all this, I know people will say I could drop back from a group anyway but want to push myself while doing my best.


Thanks.

HelenAnne

I'd say go with the 85s & push on ahead of them after 7 or 8 miles if you're feeling good? You'll feel better being able to push ahead of the 85 min people rather than being dropped by the 80 min people.

lachin

HelenAnne wrote: »

I'd say go with the 85s & push on ahead of them after 7 or 8 miles if you're feeling good? You'll feel better being able to push ahead of the 85 min people rather than being dropped by the 80 min people.

Ya that's sounds like a plan, thanks for advice!

Bridgerunner

I'd say 80 mins is within you,but if you go with the 85 min goal this may be more achievable right now for you giving you great confidence rather than going for the 80 and maybe missing it, lots of 10 milers this time of year you could go for the 80 mins then in few weeks then !!!!!

lachin

Thanks guys, still undecided between 80 and 85. I'll decide on the day I think!

lachin

Thanks again for the advice guys.

I went with the 85 pacers and thank God I didn't aim for faster! I felt I had a really bad run.

I was frozen starting off, I only ever wear short sleeved tops and shorts when running but the hailstones at the start had my teeth chattering and my arms were blue. I found it so hard to get into the run then.

My thighs felt weird... I don't know how to put it into words but there was a kinda feeling of numbness and lack if strength. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the race at all, I finished in 1.27.

Still though, 1st 10 miler, I finished it, looking back I definitely think it's a nice course, no hills. I'll definitely sign up next year, hopefully have a good year of running and more experience under my belt!

HelenAnne

Well done on your first 10 mile!
Re the weather, did you have time to do a warm up beforehand? If you can, you should do a warm up before you have to go into your starting corral, and then try to keep warm (sometimes it can be warm enough in the crowd!)

I wear a black plastic bag over my shorts & t shirt to keep me warm until almost start time. Worth a try?

lachin

I walked briskly from sports centre to starting point but then had to queue for toilets!
I saw someone wearing a black bag over them alright... And no offence to you or that girl but I remember saying to myself ' god they're soft'!!! Yikes! Live and learn!;-)

HelenAnne

lachin wrote: »

I walked briskly from sports centre to starting point but then had to queue for toilets!
I saw someone wearing a black bag over them alright... And no offence to you or that girl but I remember saying to myself ' god they're soft'!!! Yikes! Live and learn!;-)

I always wear one because you can keep it on until you're nearly ready to go. if you have a jacket or whatever you'll probably need to get rid of it early in the bag drop and then you'll be cold starting off.