So I ran my first marathon today.
Was just looking to run 3:15. I thought running with a pace group (person holding a 3:15 sign, must be a volunteer) was the best bet. The guy holding the sign didn't look in 3:15 marathon shape but oh well.
So the first loop he ran spot on 7:25 (min miles) then which I didn't realize he dropped off an a woman grabbed the 3:15 marathon pacer sign. Mile 14-16 (ish were on point) then she started ticking off 7:10-7:12-715 min miles, overall pace went from 7:25 to 7:20 within 3 miles in my mind I thought to myself stick with her which I did but the pace continued to be fast then I could tell by mile 20 it was way too fast and I started to labor.
Didn't run my 3:15 and the wheels broke at mile 22.5.
Not posting to place blame. But to learn for my next marathon is it a bad idea to run with a "pace group" in a race?