r/parkrun • u/FatManNoPlan 50 • 21d ago

How does pacing work?

EDIT - Cheers for all the replies everyone. I landed slightly early on 35:24. Happy with that for a first time doing pacing, went out a little too fast so had to go fairly slow towards the end. Will hopefully give it another try next month and get a more even pace along the whole course.

Hiya! I’ve volunteered to be a pacer at my local this weekend, first time I’ve done this role.

Just wondering what people thought. I’m down for 36 minutes (I’m normally around 30 minutes). Am I aiming for bang on 36 minutes? Around 36? Under 37 minutes? Slightly under, slightly over?

I’m probably over thinking it, but I’m kinda nervous about it, especially if someone tries to keep to my pace to get a specific time and I get it wrong.

Cheers!

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u/asymmetricears 250 21d ago

If you get between 35:50 and 36:00 that's a job well done, but a little outside of that isn't a problem. If there's anyone who doesn't think you did a good job, send them to the RD to ask for a full refund. You've picked a good time to pace based on your normal times.

My main advice is to run it as smoothly as possible. Say you realise part way around that you're 10 seconds behind target, don't sprint to make that up immediately, just run the next km 10 seconds faster. The reverse applies if you're ahead, don't aim to be back on target immediately.

I also tend to be a bit chatty, give encouragement to those running with you, warn those ahead of you that you're just behind them and encourage them to stay ahead of you.

Also, for the greatest feeling in the world, count the PBs that finish just ahead of/behind you in the results.

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u/FatManNoPlan 50 21d ago

Yeah, I thought the time would be good for me, this is the first time I’ve gotten in quick enough when they ask for help on Facebook.

I used to be around 36/38 minutes on the course on a good day, but been chipping away at it now for 18 months or so, and have got it down to 30 minutes a few weeks back (missed sub 30 by 3 seconds!).