To Join a Pace Group or Not. That is the question

Are you considering joining a pace group? I think they are a great idea and I start with one in every marathon I run. But I’ve stopped relying on them for my entire race.

Here’s why.

Chicago Marathon, 2011.

I started out great, stayed steady and was having what I consider (to date) the best marathon of my life. I never broke down, stayed out of my head, used the crowds to push me along, got teary-eyed at mile 18 (as I always do) and crossed the finish line with nothing left.

And, I was IN FRONT of the 3:50 pace group from my corral the entire race. They were always there, in my peripheral vision. If I close my eyes, I can still see the guy carrying the huge lollipop sign with “3:50 Pace Group, 2011 Chicago Marathon” emblazoned in blue on white – twirling it with enthusiasm that, at times would rile up the crowds and help push us runners along.

I thought he was awesome. How could he carry that huge sign (which looked kinda heavy) for 26.2 miles. Not only was he carrying it, but he was using it as a prop to rile everyone up – all with a tremendous smile on his face and seemingly not a care in the world. No easy feat. If you’re anything like me, the last thing you’re doing towards the end of the race is smiling (that is until I see the finish line – then its all smiles and tears. I know, I get emotional during marathons, get over it).

So riddle me this Batman, if I was in front of the 3:50 pacer, why did I cross the finish line at 3:51:18?

When I saw my final time, I went through a range of emotions. First I was angry. I was in FRONT OF HIM! Why didn’t I break 3:50?!!? I had it in my head for the last 10K that I was going to crush my earlier time and the fact that I hadn’t was pissing me off more by the minute.

After about an hour, I started to accept it. I came to the realization that I based my race purely on this one other person – a human who did his best to do his job that day. A job he wasn’t being paid for. In fact, he kept everyone excited even in the final stretch of the race.

I quickly moved to elation. I PR’d a marathon and took almost two minutes off of my best time.
Here’s a guy who helped me achieve that – I will forever be grateful to him.

I learned a valuable lesson that day. Don’t base your entire race on a pacer or pace group. I wear a watch, I could have easily looked down at any point and seen my gross time. I was the only one to blame for not reaching the goal (a goal which I didn’t even think about until I was half way into the race).

And like I said, I crossed the finish line that day with nothing left in the tank. I can honestly say that I ran the best race I could.

So should you run with a pace group? Yes. It’s an easy way to hold steady and not blow up your race. But at the same time, if you have a goal in mind, pay attention to your watch.

You’re the only one responsible for your race.