Living History Farms Pacing Question

Training Advice/Discussion

10 years ago 11/18/2013 11:09am EST

I am running Living History Farms for the second time. I ran it five years ago in around 47 minutes (I was not in great shape). My goal is to run under 43 minutes, hopefully placing in the top 20 or so. I remember that the first four miles aren't overly difficult, but the last three are a train wreck, with many steeps hills and creeks. Does anyone have advice on how to pace? I want to know where I should be, time wise, at 4 miles in order to run under 43 minutes. My strategy, as of right now, is to try to be in the 22:40 range at 4 miles and hope I can cover the last 3 miles in around 20 minutes. Does this sound good or should I take it out faster? I'm not sure how much time the final three, tough miles will take. Any advice is appreciated.

10 years ago 11/18/2013 1:31pm EST

re: over the hills and through

10 years ago 11/18/2013 1:35pm EST

re: over the hills and through

Be smart, but don't get caught behind the mass of humanity. Those tunnels are worse when dealing with people that are ahead of you going on a stroll through the woods. Good luck, don't break anything!

10 years ago 11/18/2013 1:46pm EST

re: over the hills and through

I've run Living History Farms twice now (two years in a row), and placed pretty well both times.

From my experience, the first year I was not ambitious enough, and went out 'slow', but I had to move up through around 20-30 people from the two mile mark until the finish. It was still a good showing, but I did find that you are correct; the first 4 miles are the place to go fast and establish yourself in terms of place. There is only one creek crossing at around 3-3.5 miles in, and then a large corn field that is the last of the flat parts. After that portion, it is very hard to move up, due to the actual trail width as well as the fatigue.

My second year I finally started at the front of the group, and found it much easier. One, it was easier to just start up front with a hotter pace and wait for people to drop off. And two, having less people let me focus more on just grinding, instead of getting around some guys who went out over their heads.

My take away, don't worry about the actual pace of the race. Even the first 4 miles are too much of a crap shoot (hills, turns, crowds) to judge by pace. Go by feel for the race, and know that being upfront will probably be your best bet. My gut instinct is to negative split most races i run, so it took the first running to change my mind

10 years ago 11/23/2013 4:51pm EST

re: love skinny legs

How did it go? Today's conditions were not favorable at all for someone to cut time, but I would be impressed if you did. I would echo the comments to get out aggressive if you are racing for place. The only year I ran relaxed was my first year. The past 3 years, I have ran to hurt and always ran faster times.

Reply Replying to

Username

Password

Leave the password field blank to post anonymously.

Post Preview

By posting you acknowledge that you have read and abide by our Terms and Conditions.

Remember me on this device.

Living History Farms Pacing Question

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

You have been subscribed.

Living History Farms Pacing Question

Follow love skinny legs

Block love skinny legs

Follow Runcogrun

Block Runcogrun

Of General Interest

This thread has already been deleted.

Reply Replying to

You have been subscribed.