Hamburger Feast

[Nigel]

My thought was that running for a particular time makes for a much harder race. It's a small thought, but it covers a gulf of experience.

As for the best way of achieving a time - you'll have to ask me another, since I haven't worked out the answer to that particular part of the puzzle yet. Most runners seem to slow down at the end. Maybe only four or five minutes between the first and second half, but if you start exactly on target pace, you may well just miss your target by precisely that amount. On the other hand, if you start just a little too fast, it'll cost you even more later on.

It's a fine line to tread, especially since you often need to allow for a slowish start, whilst you warm up and to cope with congested early miles. Here is a pace chart which allows for both of these, and some slowing towards the end. I've used this chart, twice, and haven't made it work yet. But the first half of the race went like clockwork both times (sigh). I haven't found a better one.

http://www.twincitiesmarathon.org/Marath...Charts.cfm