To you runners out there: I'm doing the Chicago Rock-n-Roll half-marathon in two weeks. Yesterday I did ten steady miles by myself at a 6:45 pace. It was a good, hard workout, but I wasn't totally burnt out afterwards or anything.
What pace can I reasonably shoot for under race conditions? Should I go for a negative split, or run an even, faster pace?
For some background, I'm running about 30 miles per week.
6:20
If it's your first competitive half, definitely shoot for negative splits.
How about try ditching the watch and running by feel?
This will be my third half, but I'm in substantially better shape this time around. Last two I went 1:34 (7:10 pace) and 1:30 (6:52).
Go for a pace that you KNOW you could hold for the whole race, 6:20-6:30 sounds very reasonable. Later in the race assess your fatigue and effort level and adjust accordingly to how you feel. Say with 8k to go pick it up and see how it feels, then same with 5k, 3k, etc.
Just leave some gas in the tank and play it by feel.
I like the advice, Masta, and yet, I haven't quite converted to the Tarahumara way! ;)
Thanks for the comments! love this forum :)
6:52 pace