If I use the pace group do I need to "tip" the pacer? and if the pace turns out to be too slow or too fast for me, is it bad etiquette to break off from the group and run on my own?
2007-03-20 16:53:56 · 9 answers · asked by squigmire1 2 in Sports ➔ Running
The pacer is there for you to improve your race experience, nothing more. You can break off from the group at any time, and no one will think anything of it (unless you try to tip the pacer :) ). The pacer is there as a courtesy for your benefit only. Isn't it great that runners are generally such nice people?
The best way to use a pacer, in my humble opinion, is to join a group that is slower than you think you will run throughout the race. I like to add 30 minutes to my expected time. Around the halfway mark or so, that is when you should break off from the group and finish at a faster time. This strategy is the "negative splits" (slow first half, faster second half) that I am sure you have heard so much about. If you decide that you were too optimistic and you do not have enough energy to break off, there will be plenty of people to encourage you to keep going so that you will finish strong.
Good luck on you training!
2007-03-20 19:24:25 · answer #1 · answered by Sam 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definitely go with a pace group!
I did it for my first couple marathons, and it helped tremendously. The pace group will offer lots of support, and keep you from going too fast or too slow. Early in a marathon, especially your first, you will feel VERY good, and want to run faster than you should. A pacer will hold you back and save that energy for the end when you need it. And when you hit the wall they will help you get over it and keep going.
I would stay with the pace group at least through the halfway point. If you feel really good and want to go faster at that point, you can. You are never "required" to stay with the group. If you feel bad or hit a wall, you can drop out.
Tipping is not required. Most of the pacers get free admission to the run in exchange for leading a pace group.
2007-03-21 01:58:03 · answer #2 · answered by Kutekymmee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
run with the pace group, they run you slower than your pace for a reason. you can meet new running friends. it also teaches you a steady pace. first time marathoners and some of us seasoned ones go out to fast in the first miles making that last 10K or the Marathon dreadful. No you do not tip the pacer
2007-03-21 13:19:21 · answer #3 · answered by Abby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Run with the pacer...it's a blast. I ran the last few marathons with the ClifBar pacer...and it helped me qualify for Boston. There were probably 100+ runners in our pace-pack at at the 13.1-mark...about half as many at the 20-mile mark and just a handful of runners with the pacer by the finish. I tried to stay within a few hundered yards of the "ballon-man"...it's a good motivator. There's no obligation to stay with the pacer...so I'd sign up...there's nothing to lose. Best of luck! There's some good marathon info below (tips, training plan, etc...), if interested. Happy running.
- Mike
2007-03-21 10:54:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go at your own pace and think only of finishing. Finish this one and get a start on the knowlege you'll need to begin placing higher and higher as you take on more races. If you do not finish this you'll quit running marathons and be disappointed with yourself and give up. Finishing last is better than dropping out!
2007-03-20 17:06:16 · answer #5 · answered by Sheriff of Yahoo! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Totally is dependent upon what you wish, and the way precisely the velocity institution is to be treated. Assuming it is one in which you simply become a member of them on race day (and do not teach in combination earlier), it will probably require you ordinarily adhere to the velocity chief's velocity. Sometimes they will honestly lag at the back of in which you'll wish them to be. Sometimes they will cross ever-so-rather quicker to be able to beat target time. Sometimes they will blaze via water stops even as you could pick to gradual. Some are extra talkative than others, and many others. Anyway, it might support to grasp extra of the special occasion and the way they manage velocity companies. Very normally it comes all the way down to a special velocity chief, that you could now not even discover out approximately till race day. The monstrous majority of humans in an occasion generally tend to velocity themself, for the reason that they on no account understand precisely what's going to arise that day, in the event that they could wish to move slower on hills, blah blah blah. It almost always does not hold you from preserving a watch on a velocity institution and pacing off them -- you simply do not officially become a member of them. If you are now not cozy pacing your self together with your possess watch and prefer institution jogging, you could seem into one, however I nonetheless would not hesitate to separate off from them in the course of the occasion if you wish to have/wish to for any cause.
2016-09-05 10:11:35 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think that it's always better to run in a group because it's funnier since u got a long way to go in the marathon.....and at the same time u and your group can pace themselves
2007-03-24 12:14:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Naaa...I bet the pacer has to run the distance in his training anyways, so just go out to run with the intent to have fun. Why else would you do it?
2007-03-20 17:57:42 · answer #8 · answered by Instant. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should run with a group. I think it would be more exciting because it is your first time.
2007-03-20 17:03:18 · answer #9 · answered by Bryan S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋