Quote Originally Posted by liksani View Post
Hmm... Seattle marathon.. was debating if I wanted to do the Seattle 1/2 or not . :P Oh and just a general question, but when you run halfs and full marathons, how hard do you push? I keep thinking maybe I should push so I can try to get a faster time because I always go at a pace where I can keep talking... except for that stretch where you see the finish and full out sprint. :P Well at least I full out sprint.
Generally, the training guides I've read have me running some of my daily runs at up to 30 seconds slower than my marathon pace. So, my normal running pace is "comfortable" and my marathon pace would be close to that but slightly uncomfortable (though on race day, what was "comfortable" before seems to naturally be faster anyway). The last half marathon I did, I pushed too hard and suffered at the end with a really high heart rate and really tired body. Lately with the marathon training, I have been practicing pacing myself, and I know what "comfortable" is so I can take it one step further if I want to push. Honestly, I'd rather enjoy myself, so I think the "keep talking" (and sprint at the end!) pace is a better idea than the "suffer to the end" pace

I'm still learning myself, and since this is my first marathon I'm planning on feeling out how the pacing goes. Sometimes you have to be slow to learn what fast feels like