Unremarkable? Perhaps, but certainly memorable and impactful. I've never paced a marathon, but I've paced many people in ultras, and I'd highly recommend this "new kind of challenge" to any experienced runner — it can be at least as fulfilling to help get someone else to the finish line as it is to get there yourself. I've paced 4 people to their first 100-mile finishes, and in 2 of those, I'm pretty sure they'd have dropped without me. I've forgotten many of my own finishes, but I won't forget those.
Jeff, I agree! It was my 'worst' marathon finish time wise, but it was a different kind of remarkable. I hope to do it again soon. Right now I have a bunch of half-marathons to pace for, so looking forward to those too.
I have paced eight 100's also.... (well nine if you count the one I DNF'd, went home to bed and came back and paced the next day). The nice thing about Ultras, you have one runner and you just need to do the things to get them thru it! I remember all of my pacing races, Superior, Leadville, Western States, Hennepin and Kettle. To be a part of the experience at some really big races was so exciting, and to get your runner through it, even better!
As I’m still chasing anything under 5 hours… I’d take an Unremarkable Race like this any day! Way to go Marty. And, I think I'm going to pass this along to someone in his 60s who I'll be joining for the Marine Corps Marathon.
My next Marathon is in 6 weeks, and I plan to run it... unremarkably.
You can do it Jeremy!!! Work on leg strength, get nutrition/hydration dialed in. You have the experience "out there" that most people do not. I know you can do it. Don't be afraid to walk through water stations early (ala Galloway).
As for my race, thank you. I know I am pretty fortunate genetically, and I have added a ton of work on top of that, in addition to the fact for whatever reason age hasn't slowed me down at all. At 67, I have run better marathons than I did in my 40's.
When I say 'better' I don't just mean overall time, but splits, how I feel at the end, how fast I recover afterwards are all part of 'success'.
An elegant, and 'remarkable' race is one where the second half is faster than the first, I feel great at the end, I can still walk around the next day. By that measure, my pacing race was 'remarkable'.
Thanks for reading, I'll be following your progress!
That's definitely the approach I'm starting to adopt. Leg strength is on my list for areas of improvement. Making that a priority this short training block. I feel like I've got fueling somewhat dialed in, maybe a little work to be done on electrolyte intake, but I'm close.
Appreciate the encouragement... I'm gonna keep going and build that foundation.
I'll be running the Halfway to the Holidays Marathon on July 25th in Ohio. I'll be driving overnight to run it, so my plan is to take it easy. That's sounds dumb but I'm a night shifter, so technically driving all night is "normal" for me.
Unremarkable? Perhaps, but certainly memorable and impactful. I've never paced a marathon, but I've paced many people in ultras, and I'd highly recommend this "new kind of challenge" to any experienced runner — it can be at least as fulfilling to help get someone else to the finish line as it is to get there yourself. I've paced 4 people to their first 100-mile finishes, and in 2 of those, I'm pretty sure they'd have dropped without me. I've forgotten many of my own finishes, but I won't forget those.
Jeff, I agree! It was my 'worst' marathon finish time wise, but it was a different kind of remarkable. I hope to do it again soon. Right now I have a bunch of half-marathons to pace for, so looking forward to those too.
I have paced eight 100's also.... (well nine if you count the one I DNF'd, went home to bed and came back and paced the next day). The nice thing about Ultras, you have one runner and you just need to do the things to get them thru it! I remember all of my pacing races, Superior, Leadville, Western States, Hennepin and Kettle. To be a part of the experience at some really big races was so exciting, and to get your runner through it, even better!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
As I’m still chasing anything under 5 hours… I’d take an Unremarkable Race like this any day! Way to go Marty. And, I think I'm going to pass this along to someone in his 60s who I'll be joining for the Marine Corps Marathon.
My next Marathon is in 6 weeks, and I plan to run it... unremarkably.
You can do it Jeremy!!! Work on leg strength, get nutrition/hydration dialed in. You have the experience "out there" that most people do not. I know you can do it. Don't be afraid to walk through water stations early (ala Galloway).
As for my race, thank you. I know I am pretty fortunate genetically, and I have added a ton of work on top of that, in addition to the fact for whatever reason age hasn't slowed me down at all. At 67, I have run better marathons than I did in my 40's.
When I say 'better' I don't just mean overall time, but splits, how I feel at the end, how fast I recover afterwards are all part of 'success'.
An elegant, and 'remarkable' race is one where the second half is faster than the first, I feel great at the end, I can still walk around the next day. By that measure, my pacing race was 'remarkable'.
Thanks for reading, I'll be following your progress!
That's definitely the approach I'm starting to adopt. Leg strength is on my list for areas of improvement. Making that a priority this short training block. I feel like I've got fueling somewhat dialed in, maybe a little work to be done on electrolyte intake, but I'm close.
Appreciate the encouragement... I'm gonna keep going and build that foundation.
Jeremy, what/where/when is your next race?
I'll be running the Halfway to the Holidays Marathon on July 25th in Ohio. I'll be driving overnight to run it, so my plan is to take it easy. That's sounds dumb but I'm a night shifter, so technically driving all night is "normal" for me.
Marty, thank you for keeping your pace so you could share this as connect on the path. This hit me on many levels. Thank you!
I liked this one, KC! Pacers are heroes. 🦸
Loved everything about this piece! The pacing experience is a special one. Thanks for writing!