Do you use a pace bunny?

There are pace groups in the one marathon I do every year and it is a good way to keep yourself in check (as long as you are trained for the pace you plan to run).

But I've personally never ran with a pace group.

Do what you feel will allow you to make it to the finish in the best way possible!

My only experience using a pace team was last year at Philly Marathon. I ran with the 3:30 pace team. The guy went out way too fast and I followed along. I had planned my race but didn't race my plan. My plan did not include using the pace team, or running a 7:36 mile around mile 11 but that's what I did. Shot my load early and bonked hard around mile 22. I finished with a PR, but not my BQ goal.

I'd say for your first half marathon to just run your race and don't worry about pace teams....or pace much at all for that matter. Maybe make the first one about finishing. If you are basing your expected finish time on your training pace, and did not base your training pace on desired/expected finish time then maybe just run on feel, don't push too hard, and have fun.

jsklarz - 2008-09-11 11:32 AM If by "pace bunny" you mean atractive women who runs faster than me?  Yes, all the time... now if only I could catch one (don;t tell my wife)

Anonymously posting a x2

jsklarz - 2008-09-11 1:32 PM If by "pace bunny" you mean atractive women who runs faster than me?  Yes, all the time... now if only I could catch one (don;t tell my wife)

The more bunnies the merrier (and don't tell my fiancee either)

As for the actual question, no I don't use any sort of pace device, but I do have a pace in mind.  I have an idea of where I'd like to be at the checkpoints and adjust from there.

Well, I have heard that Boston has one of the best pace groups of any marathon. (You were referring to Boston.... )

1). If your doing a Megathon (large race) make sure you get into the right corral for your pace group. It sucks to have to catch up to them later.

2). Chat with the pace group leader and find out what his/her pacing strategy is. If it makes sense for you, go with it.

3). Don't be afraid to abandon the group if the pace is not matching your expectations. (Either Faster or slower)

4). Don't try to catch up to the pace group if you have to stop for some reason. You will come together again farther down the course. Just follow the balloons

I tried a pacer for my first half marathon.  There were two for my goal time of two hours.  I started with a guy who had us doing 7:30-8:00 miles for the first few miles.  I caught on a little bit after the first mile and slowed down.  That guy was nuts!  The other two hour pace group caught up with me at mile 8 or so, and I ran with them for a few miles, but they were chatty and I don't like to talk when I run.  In races, talking people annoy me.  So that was that.

I think if you are a social runner and have a Garmin to keep yourself in check, then it's probably a good idea.  Otherwise, go it alone.