So I've been training to run my first marathon this november and I've been following a training schedule for a 3:30 marathon. However I'm running with my sister and we are planing to stick together for the full 26.2. She is saying she is more likely to be around 4:20-4:30. I wouldn't mind running at the pace with her but I'm nervous I may be risking injury. Should I slow the pace of my training runs to get used to the slower pace? Any advice would be appreciated.
You'll be fine, just bored.
Why bother doing training for a 3:30, if you're going to run a 4:20? The base required for a 3:30 should allow you to easily jog a 4:20.
Confused_Runner wrote:
So I've been training to run my first marathon this november and I've been following a training schedule for a 3:30 marathon. However I'm running with my sister and we are planing to stick together for the full 26.2. She is saying she is more likely to be around 4:20-4:30. I wouldn't mind running at the pace with her but I'm nervous I may be risking injury. Should I slow the pace of my training runs to get used to the slower pace? Any advice would be appreciated.
I would actually say that you should do a few runs at the slower place. The reason for this is that you are risking injury if you have to decidedly change your normal gait to run slower with her. Keep in mind that the difference between what you could run (3:30) and what she wants to (4:30) is over 2 minutes per mile slower.
Your body will be out there longer, running slower and a different gait than you are used to. Do some training at the slower pace.
You should be fine... I am a 2:50s marathoner and I jogged a 4:45 with my brother. No injuries, no problems... was a little rough watching him suffer at the end when there was not much I could do. Also did get really hungry just being on my feet so long...
Thats what I was thinking. My stride will probably suffer from running at such a slower pace so I'll try some runs at her pace. I'm planning on running a marathon on my own shortly after this one so my training will be worth it then!
If you're planning to race a marathon at 8 minute pace, then all of your post workout recovery days should be run at about 10 minute pace. I don't see why it would be harmful at all to do an extra long easy day.
Given that her race pace is about 2 minutes/mile slower than your goal race pace, it shouldn't be a ton slower than your long run pace anyway.
According to McMillan her marathon pace is your easy long run pace, so why would there be a problem?
remember to keep good form at the slower pace and don't spend that extra energy doing something stupid
I know a guy who got hurt during a marathon, because he spent a few hours out there running in circles and playing to the crowd. He got a lot of high fives and cheers but then shin splints.