app: marathon strategy (pace)

Former Member over 9 years ago

I am not sure if this is possible, but it would be great to have a watch app for calculating pace strategy for marathons (perhaps even other distances).

I.e. the user sets 4:00:00 as time. A pace (e.g. min/km) of 5:31 for 30km then the app calculates minimum pace for remaining 11.2 km. And/or user marks 10 km pace of 6:00 10km pace of 5:30 10 km pace of 5:40 and 11.2 km pace of 6:00 the app gives the user a finishing time.

This would free me of pen and paper as I am (for my next race) planning on a 4hr time and I know that physiology will not let me keep an even 5:41 pace...so I will have to run harder at the beginning.

I do not believe I am the only one with this problem.

Bonus would be for the app to be able to work as a "data field" if one would want to have pace optimization visual during a race.

travis.vitek over 9 years ago

What you want is to be able to set a target race distance and time, and have the data field display the pace you need to maintain for the remainder of the distance to finish in the given time, right? I could swear there were data fields in the app store for this already, but I'm not seeing them. It would be easy to write though.

Travis

Nikeow over 9 years ago

https://forums.garmin.com/showthread.php?332533-Virtual-Pacer

runn over 9 years ago

As a 40 year long distance runner, (age 72)having run nearly 84,000 miles(83,9xx miles) which includes 18 marathons and 27 ultras, as well as coaching a lot of runners. The secret to successful marathon running is smart training. This has nothing to do with apps. Believe it or not, the first 20 miles of a marathon is about 1/2 the race. The last 10k is the other half. One of the worst thing you can do is start out fast.
There are probably too many books out on how to train and run marathons. Read some of them. Forget apps.
It is interesting that with all the technology, GPS, HR, actual pace,etc. etc. times for most marathon runners have actually slowed. 30 + years ago they often wanted to cut off finishing time in the 3-4 hour range. Now 6 hour marathons.
Make running your play, make up your mind to run the rest of your life. If you take it easy and run consistently about 2-3 minutes of your 5K race pace you have a shot at becoming a lifetime runner. If you do too much, too fast, too soon you will end up in the world's largest running club- "I use to run but.......club" Free coaching advice- Nick

Dr Phil over 9 years ago

What you want is to be able to set a target race distance and time, and have the data field display the pace you need to maintain for the remainder of the distance to finish in the given time, right? I could swear there were data fields in the app store for this already, but I'm not seeing them. It would be easy to write though.

Travis

You can do this on the 920XT without having to add anything - Training, Set A Target

But as noted, these devices are not a substitute for using the top few inches.

Former Member over 9 years ago

Thanks for the tips. I have and am reading many books and have a training plan for sub 4hr.

Virtual pacer is not what I am looking for. What I want/need is similar to this: http://www.runningforfitness.org/calc/racepaces/split?metres=42195&hr=4&min=00&sec=0&gamma=0.48&splits=l&Submit=Calculate but with more options to "tweak details"

As I know through tests that my aerobc threshold is 158 bpm/ 5:31min/km right now (but hopefully it will improve). Therefore it would be nice to plan pace strategy and test paces while training (got 6 months till Marathon)