Subject: 12 hour race strategy I have my second ultra coming up on Saturday and have been debating two different strategies. I did the same race last year which is on a 2.5 mile loop with about 200 feet of elevation per lap. I covered 50 mile in 11:45 and my goal this year is at least 52.5 and maybe 55 depending on how the day unfolds. I am much stronger than last year with my training and racing going very well. I have not trained specifically for this but have run three marathons this year around 4 hours. With that background this is what I am mulling over. Am I better off running my laps at a consistent goal pace/time from the beginning. Lets say 32 minutes (2.5 mile loop) which will seem very, very slow and will require that I do some walking. Or should I just go more with how I am feeling while staying very comfortable knowing that no matter what I do I will slow in the late hours of the race. My fear is that even if I go out super slow at 32 minutes a lap I will drop below even that at some point. I have so little experience beyond 26. So when you do an ultra do you calculate a goal pace and execute that evenly from the start or do you front load a little knowing that you in all likelihood will fade in the latter hours? |