Experienced Pace at full Marathon from results at half Marathon ?

by Patriq Backlund
(Oslo)

Marius !

I'm planning to participate in my first marathon in June 2013, participating in the 'Nordmarka Marathon' - which is a trail course. Because of the profile of the course, I'm not expecting to finish at the time the schedule of yours I'm following is indicating.

To set the pace for the marathon, I'm planning on doing the 'Skaubygdaløpet' half marathon at the time your schedules proposes (week 11) - since the profile and course seems rather similar to the full marathon.

Now to the question, regardless of if my pace at the half marathon is 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 or 5:00 / km - should I set my pace for the full marathon at exactly the same pace?
Reason I'm wondering, is that I'm thinking that I guess the pace of the half marathon is determined by what my body (and mind) is capable for this distance. If I use the same pace for t w i c e the distance, is this because my form has improved that much in the time in between the half and the full marathon? Or is the pace for the full marathon adjusted for the distance ? (with help of the calculator).

Answer: Hi Patriq and thanks for your question.

"Now to the question, regardless of if my pace at the half marathon is 3:30, 4:00, 4:30 or 5:00 / km - should I set my pace for the full marathon at exactly the same pace?"

The half marathon in week 11 should be FULL effort and then you plug that time into the calculator in the 100 day marathon plan to DETERMINE your marathon time. So you are not running that half marathon at your predicted marathon pace, but rather as fast as you can and use that time, to find the estimated marathon time based on that :)

I wish you all the best,
Marius