Tag Archive for: 3M Half Marathon

Get to know your 2020 pacing group

You’re registered. You’re training. You have a goal time in mind. This is your first half marathon. You want to PR. You want to beat last year’s time. Whatever your race day goals, the Twenty-Six Two Marathon Club pacing group will guide you. Meet your 2020 3M Half Marathon pace team, learn where to find them on race day, and read a few dos and don’ts of running with your 2020 pacing group.

Find your 2020 pacing group:

Look for the Twenty-Six Two pacing group in the starting corrals holding pace signs. Those signs correspond to the paces designated by signs in the corrals. There will be two pacers per each pace group (finish times of 1:30, 1:35, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 1:55, 2:00, 2:05, 2:10, 2:15, 2:20, 2:25, 2:30). The pacers will also wear matching Under Armour running outfits that say “PACER” or otherwise designated them as official 3M Half Marathon pacers.

1:30

(6:52 min./mile)

Matt Fletcher John Golden

1:35

(7:15 min./mile)

Joe Terracina Leland Mangrum

1:40

(7:37 min./mile)

Jonathan Garner Jose Reyes

1:45

(8:00 min./mile)

Charlie Werth Talaya Frazier

1:50

(8:23 min./mile)

 

Karim Elmarabet Eliot Franklin

1:55

(8:46 min./mile)

Jennifer Goetz Laura Hitt

2:00

(9:09 min.mile)

Eric Johnson Sam Gammage

2:05

(9:32 min./mile)

Steve Pina Summer Smith

2:10

(9:55 min./mile)

Claire McGuiness Kelvin Lam

2:15

(10:17 min./mile)

Rocio Villalobos Jillian Baaklini

2:20

(10:40 min./mile)

Ted Kvapil Son Ha

2:25

(11:03 min./mile)

Jessica Mangrum Kelly Peck

2:30

(11:26 min.mile)

Devangi Parikh Juanita Bowling

Race day dos: 

  • DO ask questions before the start about your pacing group’s race plan. Most will run slightly slower at first, and then pick up speed in the middle miles of the race. However, each pace group is slightly different, so make sure to ask any questions before the race begins.
  • DO drink at water stations along the way if you normally take water or sports drink during the race. The pacing group will slow down slightly to allow runners to catch up after water stops.
  • DO ask questions or introduce yourself during the race if you are inclined. The pacers are all accustomed to racing at paces faster than what they are pacing, so they should be able to answer your questions.

    pace team

    Summer (4256) and Steve (4530) will lead the 2:05 group for 2020. Claire (5241) will lead the 2:10 group for 2020.

  • DO ask what your splits should be at each mile marker, and compare the pacers’ times with your watch or GPS device. You want to make sure that you are “in sync” with the pacers’ official times.
  • DO relax and let the pacing group guide you! They are trained to finish at (or slightly faster than) their designated finish times.

Race day don’ts:

  • DON’T struggle to stay right next to or behind the pacers, especially at the beginning when it is crowded. As long as you are near them along the way, you will have plenty of time to stick with them after a few miles.
  • DON’T try to start out with a pacing group that is significantly faster than you are accustomed to running. Find the pace group that is right for you, and enjoy the race as the pacers lead you to the finish line.
  • DON’T forget that the pacing group is targeting a finish that corresponds to their own chip time, not the official “gun time.” If your pace group crosses the start line several minutes after the race begins, the pacers will be following their own chip time, not the “clock” time at the finish. Make sure to ask along the way what the pacers’ time is, and compare it to your own time. If you are unsure whether you are “ahead of” or “behind” the pacers’ time, ask them! They will answer your questions.

Twenty-Six Two Marathon Club (TST) is an Austin-based nonprofit group that provides low-cost training to men and women marathoners and half marathoners throughout the year. Since 2005, TST has trained hundreds of runners for races in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, San Antonio, and many other cities (and countries). TST’s Pace Team provides pacers for races year-round and is comprised of club members who have run multiple marathons and half-marathons.

Retire your current pair and replace them with these Under Armour shoes

When looking for a new pair of shoes you want to make sure they’re right for your feet. The right pair of shoes can help protect your joints and muscles. We spoke with our friends at Under Armour and recommend the following Under Armour shoes. Make sure they’re right for your feet. Then visit our friends at Fleet Feet Austin to get your new pair today. This MapMyRun blog post informed this piece and has more helpful tips for finding the right running shoes.

Are your shoes wearing out? Is their mileage count running high? Wear and tear beginning to show? Sounds like you need a new pair of running shoes. Our helpful blog post will tell you how to test your old shoes and break in your new Under Armour shoes!

We recommend these Under Armour shoes

HOVR Velociti 2

The Velociti 2 is designed for those who want a light shoe for racing, speedwork, or daily training. They offer Under Armour’s patented HOVR cushioning technology. Track your mileage and log your workouts when you sync their Bluetooth version with the MapMyRun app. Best for efficient runners who don’t overpronate.

HOVR Infinite

Under Armour shoes like the cushioned Infinites are great for those who have moderate-to-high arches, strike midfoot or forefoot when running, and need maximum midsole cushioning and minimum medial (arch-side) support. They offer Under Armour’s patented HOVR cushioning technology. Track your mileage and log your workouts when you sync their Bluetooth version with the MapMyRun app. Not recommended for overpronators.

HOVR Guardian

Shoes like the Guardians are best for runners who are mild-to-moderate overpronators and need extra support and durability. They provide good arch support and midsole cushioning. They offer Under Armour’s patented HOVR cushioning technology. Track your mileage and log your workouts when you sync their Bluetooth version with the MapMyRun app.

These Under Armour shoes can replace your retired pair or be your second pair when you alternate. Either way, make sure they’re right for you and fit your foot. They can help you keep crushing your 3M Half Marathon training! Don’t forget to visit our friends at Fleet Feet Austin or underarmour.com to purchase your new pair of Under Armour shoes today. Images courtesy of 3M Half Marathon presenting sponsor, Under Armour.

Keep things moving with these 3 holiday training tips

The chances of your 3M Half Marathon training plan going out of the window increase during the holidays. Maybe your family will visit and overrun your house. Perhaps you’ll travel this year and won’t have access to all of your gear and normal routes. Either way, there’s going to be food! Don’t let these factors interfere with your training. Focus on the task at hand and remember your ultimate goal: the 3M Half Marathon finish line. Follow these holiday training tips and keep your training momentum rolling strong.

Start early

This is often the quietest and most relaxing time of the day during the holidays. This is true if you’re traveling or people are visiting you. You don’t have to entertain and responsibilities are fewer. Also, you’re not stuffed from eating delicious food… yet! Take this time for yourself and knock out your training run early. It’s the best way to begin your day. Plus, you can eat more to replace the calories you burn. Pro tip: don’t forget to foam roll!

Invite someone to join you

We’re big believers in accountability. You might not have your normal running partner or group to hold you to account. So ask another friend or family member to join you. The cool thing about this is they don’t have to go as far as you’re going. They can if they want to, but the important thing is that they start with you. Getting out of bed is often the hardest part of a long run. Hold each other accountable. Chances increase that you’ll complete your workout once you get started whether they’re with you the entire time or not.

Prepare ahead of time

This is a big one especially if you’re traveling or “giving up your room” to incoming family. Following your routine as much as possible makes it more likely that you’ll make your training run. If your normal routine is altered, do all you can to make it as normal as possible. Make sure you have all your gear, a rain jacket, nutrition/hydration, and of course your shoes. Take a second pair of shoes in case the others get wet. That way you can train in the rain! Pro tip: if traveling, research routes you can (like trails) and locate the local track.

Training during the holidays isn’t impossible, just a little harder. Runners are creatures of habit who don’t like change, especially during training. These holiday training tips will keep your training on track while still enjoying time with friends and family. Plus, this is the perfect excuse to replace all the calories you’ll burn! Do you have a holiday training tip that keeps you on schedule? Let us know what it is on Facebook or Twitter.