Nicholas Petrie
(pace runner)
Canberra Marathon 2006
My Experience
-
Nerve Racking
Prior to running the Canberra Marathon of 2006, I have
personally run 3 (three) Gold Coast Marathon, 1 (One) Canberra
Marathon, and the Caboolture 6 (Six) hour Endurance Event, plus
numerous other shorter distance events. I have also previously
done the pacing role for the Noosa Half Marathon, 2005. Thus
pacing for the Canberra Marathon at 3 hour 45 minute pace would
be "cynch", so I thought.
By taking on this role I have to admit the pressure was on.
More than I originally expected. The pressure obviously was a
battle of the demons / mind. I knew I was fit enough to do the
event and do the distance required. But running the marathon at
a consistent pace, and having other runners with the expectation
that you are running the distance at the correct race pace is
another battle in itself. (Example: 3 hour 45 minute goal
time: Kilometre race pace should be around 5 minutes 20
seconds) The biggest expectation, I had of these runners, was
that they would have probably trained hard for the last six
months, and will put their trust in me to get them across the
line, without burning them.
Prior to the race, I assure Pat Carroll, I was up to the
challenge, in which I knew I was.
The hardest part I found was trying to establish a race pace
that would guarantee the following in this order
-
I could finish the race (my greatest fear, if I run the race
to slow, my body/ muscle may not be able to endure the extra
time out on the race course, as my body is use to running the
distance at a much quicker pace and quicker time, than the
slower pace and slower time I will be running at). I was
really concerned about the effect it would have on my body and
mind after that magical distance of around 34klms.
-
Secondly, get as many runners across the line prior to that 3
hour 45 minute race pace. (Will I be running at a fair pace to
get as many runners across the line as I can, however also
have the energy to go back and encourage other runners to
stick with it, then run back up to my main pack again and
encourage them).
A few days prior I decided I would run the marathon race pace at
a approximately 5 minutes 10 seconds per Kilometre (thus
setting a race finishing time around 3 hour 40 minutes,
expecting runners last 6
-
8 klms to start to slow down to 5
minute 30 second pace
-
6 minute pace etc).
Race Day:
6.30am or so
and
Pat Carroll gave me my pace singlet & flag which
would clearly identify me as the race pacer for 3 hours 45
minutes.
Instant results: (a star was being born), people immediately
came up to me and introduced themselves, advising me of their
goals, their training and they wanted to run with me. They
wanted to talk about running tactics, pacing, water stops,
toilet stops, wearing jumpers because of the zero degrees
temperature, wearing gloves
etc.
I advise as many runners of my race plan, those who wanted to
run the race around 3 hours 45 minutes of the following:
0 -
6 klms of the race will be run at 5 minutes 20 seconds per
Kilometre.
6 -
34 klms of the race will be run at 5 minutes 10 seconds per
Kilometre.
34 klms
-
run your own race, stay in front of me, and you are
guaranteed to finish under 3 hours 45 minutes.
Most liked it, some didn't. I didn't care (not to be rude),
but I am the professional (joking guys) race pacer, I have been
entrusted with this job and this is the way it is going to be
done.
The Gun Goes at 7am:
With
a cheer, our first kilometre was done in just over six minutes,
the next kilometre was done in just under 5 minutes and from
then on it was cruise sailing as per the above mentioned race
plan.
A minor disaster struck around 25 klm mark, my body
had a major shutter (which in the past has meant to me, that I
am about to lose speed and stamina, that feeling you generally
get after the 34 klm mark) The next kilometre I
panicked, dropped the kilometre pace down to 4 minutes 53
second, I survived and pressed on, regained control and got my
race pace back to around 5 minutes 10 seconds goal per
kilometre.
As per my introduction I admit the pressure was on
and
yes it was more pressure than I originally expected. From
my previous experience, the race pressure is forgotten
after the first few kilometres,
this marathon was a greater task, because not on did I have to
finish, I had to make sure my runners beat the 3 hours 45 minute
barrier. It was a battle of the mind, but I knew I was fit
enough and I had done the hard work to cover the distance
required.
At around the 32 klm mark, I was confident I would survive and
most of my runners would comfortably break that 3 hour 45 minute
barrier.
Over the next few kilometres I spoke to as many of the runners
in our group as possible and assured them, they were running
well and just to hold their pace. I also advised them if they
need to slow down a bit they can afford to do it, but just try
to stay in front of me or around me.
I did not finish the race with my main pack of sub 3 hour 45
minute runners, most of them went through a few minutes before
the goal time.
I must admit the last few kilometres of the race, I was the lone
runner.
With my little flag and race pace time of 3 hours 45 seconds
proudly displayed.
I felt like I was the grim
- reaper coming in from behind and
advising any runner they must stay in front of me to be assured
that they will finish under 3 hours 45 minute goal. Many of
these runners I caught were running for survival (you know what
I mean).
Some spectators were questioning me, as to where were my runners
''pack?".
I had ample time to advise them they are in front and
I am the back marker for 3 hours 45 seconds.
I encouraged as many runners as I could to press on, right to
the end. My amazing race finished at the finishishers line,
under the clock with the exact race time 3 hours and 45 minutes
and zero seconds. I had set out to do what I wanted to do,
"You
are guaranteed to break 3 hours 45minutes as long as you are in
front of me at the finish line''.
The biggest reward:
The biggest rewards came at the end of the race finding the
faces of those runners who had run with our pack, and to hear
their stories, and simply see the exhilaration, the pleasure
and the rewards on their faces of the marathon journey they have
just completed. (Believe it or not, some of these runners even
introduced me to their families, to share in the conquest).
So, if you are after a different marathon journey and ultimate
high, then being a pace runner is nerve racking but also
rewarding.
Nicholas
Petrie
P.S.
Race pacing for a 21 klm event, is a piece of cake, however for
the marathon it is a full journey in itself. And yes I
will do it again if the opportunity arises.
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