Run Run Away

Question:

    I need some advice about a reasonable time goal for the marathon.     I ran a half marathon in May.  My time was a PR at 2:07.  Don’t     laugh.  I’ve already acknowledged that I’m slow.  

I’m not laughing – 2:07 is a fine 1/2 time and it gives you a solid base to try the marathon.  When I try to predict my times, I use a race calculator like the one here: http://www.runnersworld.com/training/timecalc.html The prediction is 4:24 – this is not razor accuracy, it is just an estimate based on algorithms about how fatigue affects runners.  I would be comfortable setting a goal between 4:15 and 4:30 – leaning to 4:30 if inexperience is an issue.   Your training will tell you – presumably you will try to run a 4:30 pace (10:18 per mile) in training, and your performance at that time will give you signals as to whether your chosen pace is unreasonable. — //Lorne Sundby

Response:

   I ran a half marathon in May.  My time was a PR at 2:07.  Don’t laugh.

Don’t be silly — you have nothing to feel bad about. That’s a good time, and the fact that you even did it puts you in the company of a select group of people! Any advice?

There are quite a few prediction methods and tables out there. Do a www.google.com search on "running race prediction" and you’ll find some good links. The first one I tried with your half time suggests a goal of 4:30 for a full marathon. Using the Daniels and Gilbert table I happen to have in front of me, they say 4:22. I think this table tends to be aggressive. Another method (Williams) is to multiply your 10K pace, if you know it, by 4.66. Good luck! — Robert, 1st marathon on September 30 (knock on wood) — Robert Stevahn             | "The power of accurate obervation [this space for rent]      |  have not got it" — G B Shaw

Response:

    I need some advice about a reasonable time goal for the marathon.  I have never been a fast runner, but I truly enjoying getting out there.  I have a blood sugar problem that I am slowly learning to manage during races and longer runs.  As a result of this better control my race times are improving.     I ran a half marathon in May.  My time was a PR at 2:07.  Don’t laugh. I’ve already acknowledged that I’m slow.  I’ll be running a full marathon in October and am wondering what a reasonable time goal would be.  This is not my first marathon, but it’s the first where I think I can reasonably expect to finish without bonking too badly due to sugar problems.  I don’t want to be overly ambitious as that could be dangerous.  Any advice? Michelle

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