Pacers and how should they pace

SeeMoreBut

This isn't against anyone who paces races but a generic question.

Should a pacer run a race like a virtual pacer or run the race in a particular way like 99% of them currently do? Just a discussion I had the other day with some people.

I can see the arguments from both sides.

I myself don't run with them as I prefer to run my own race than end up running someone's else's race as what happens if you jump on the bus.

nhunter100

SeeMoreBut wrote:

I myself don't run with them as I prefer to run my own race than end up running someone's else's race as what happens if you jump on the bus.

Pacers are a guide for a time no more no less. You still have to run your own race.

ger664

Pacer in general have no control in how they pace a race. That is dictated by the Race Director/Organiser. For the most races it as close to even splits all the way round. Agree with above pacer isnt going to magically get you home you still have to be capable of getting the time.

RayCun

I don't understand. .. isn't even splits running like a virtual pacer? isn't that what most pacers do?

UM1

Whats a virtual pacer.

RayCun

UM1 wrote: »

Whats a virtual pacer.

Feature on garmin watches
If you hit 10 miles a minute early, you are a minute ahead of the virtual pacer

Gavlor

UM1 wrote: »

Whats a virtual pacer.

I'm pretty much a virtual pacer

UM1

Gavlor wrote: »

I'm pretty much a virtual pacer

Virtual pacers usually finish......(they usually start aswell)

Gavlor

UM1 wrote: »

Virtual pacers usually finish......(they usually start aswell)

It's the starting bit that gets me!

Cona

Should pacers be criticised for not finishing a race under their set pace time? For example, if you pace a 4 hour marathon, the pacer should be crossing in 3.59.30. My opinion, if they finish outside 4 hours, then their pretty much pointless. The idea is that you can run together as a group and come home in the correct time.
Similarly, if a pace group comes in 3.50, they are likely to have burned off many who were blindly following them.

TFBubendorfer

Cona wrote: »

Should pacers be criticised for not finishing a race under their set pace time? For example, if you pace a 4 hour marathon, the pacer should be crossing in 3.59.30. My opinion, if they finish outside 4 hours, then their pretty much pointless. The idea is that you can run together as a group and come home in the correct time.
Similarly, if a pace group comes in 3.50, they are likely to have burned off many who were blindly following them.

Sure, if a pacer runs 10 minutes faster than goal time they should rightly be criticised. I actually think that happened in Belfast a few years ago for the alleged 4-hour pacers (the way-too-fast bit, not necessarily the criticism).

However, considering that pacers are only human and putting in a huge amount of effort to help others achieve their time, I wouldn't be too pleased if someone came up to me and criticised me for being 20 seconds too slow and therefore "pretty much pointless" after running a marathon. Mistakes happen but criticising someone who tried their best to help others would be rather ungrateful.

Murph_D

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Sure, if a pacer runs 10 minutes faster than goal time they should rightly be criticised. I actually think that happened in Belfast a few years ago for the alleged 4-hour pacers (the way-too-fast bit, not necessarily the criticism).

However, considering that pacers are only human and putting in a huge amount of effort to help others achieve their time, I wouldn't be too pleased if someone came up to me and criticised me for being 20 seconds too slow and therefore "pretty much pointless" after running a marathon. Mistakes happen but criticising someone who tried their best to help others would be rather ungrateful.

That's the way things are going I'd say though. People pay their entry fee and consider pacers part of the service. If the pacing is off, they feel they got gypped. They don't care that the pacers are volunteers. Abuse the marshals and other officials too. Sad but true.

walshb

SeeMoreBut wrote: »

T

I myself don't run with them as I prefer to run my own race than end up running someone's else's race as what happens if you jump on the bus.

That's good advice. They can serve an excellent purpose, but a tad off here and there can destroy an inexperienced runner's race. Pacer sets out a little faster than what you are used to, and the chances are you may try and keep up. This can then hurt you badly later on. Won't hurt the pacer, as he/she is strolling. It's a risk.

adrian522

People having a go at pacers in Dublin should check out the setup in Berlin. The 3:45 pace group started out in the wrong starting Pen, started ahead of the 3:30 group. I was running sub 3:30 pace and only caught them up around 8 miles in.

Similar stories about the 3 hour pacers. Bottom line is that you need to take responsibility for your own race and use pacers a a guide/aid where appropriate.

TFBubendorfer

Murph_D wrote: »

They don't care that the pacers are volunteers. Abuse the marshals and other officials too. Sad but true.

"They" are very rare, thankfully. I must have run about 200 races but I honestly cannot remember a runner ever abusing a marshal.

walshb wrote: »

Pacer sets out a little faster than what you are used to, and the chances are you may try and keep up. This can then hurt you badly later on. Won't hurt the pacer, as he/she is strolling. It's a risk.

Most inexperienced runner who DON'T use a pacer are starting off too fast. Running with a pacer greatly increases the chances of running an appropriate pace.

Murph_D

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

"They" are very rare, thankfully. I must have run about 200 races but I honestly cannot remember a runner ever abusing a marshal.

Well yes, "they" meaning the tiny minority who, as Raycun has eloquently put it, want someone else to wipe their arse for them. :rolleyes:

I have seen marshals being abused. Not often though.

nhunter100

adrian522 wrote:

People having a go at pacers in Dublin should check out the setup in Berlin. The 3:45 pace group started out in the wrong starting Pen, started ahead of the 3:30 group. I was running sub 3:30 pace and only caught them up around 8 miles in.

There was 4 pacers per time in Berlin. Pairs of 2 . Each pair was assigned a different starting pen.

average_runner

About 6-8 years ago I did the dublin marathon, time to aim for was 3:45 with the pacers.

After 3 miles one of the pacers had to drop back to help another runner out with a medical need.

We were down to one pacer, at rathgar he had to go to the toilet, told us to keep going and he catch up. Sadly I didn't see him again till foster Ave as I went too hard ahead.. The group passed me out.

But that guy did recover to get the 3:45 group home on his own. Very impressed by him.

So there is an example of two great pacers.

UM1

adrian522 wrote: »

People having a go at pacers in Dublin.

Dont think anyone was having a go at any of the dublin pacers,...they all did what they were supposed to do with minimum of fuss and maximum of professionalism and most importantly no fock ups,not even the burds or the less experienced.As of now all 39 DCM pacers have intimated that they will return next year so you can expect more of the same.

tang1

UM1 wrote: »

Dont think anyone was having a go at any of the dublin pacers,...they all did what they were supposed to do with minimum of fuss and maximum of professionalism and most importantly no fock ups,not even the burds or the less experienced.As of now all 39 DCM pacers have intimated that they will return next year so you can expect more of the same.

Will you stick me first reserve now so!!

UM1

tang1 wrote: »

Will you stick me first reserve now so!!

#Dfubarca

kit3

UM1 wrote: »

Dont think anyone was having a go at any of the dublin pacers,...they all did what they were supposed to do with minimum of fuss and maximum of professionalism and most importantly no fock ups,not even the burds or the less experienced.As of now all 39 DCM pacers have intimated that they will return next year so you can expect more of the same.

Sounds like great performances all round - well selected