Ned
Footballguy
Nice run!What's your max HR again? I can't quite remember, other than remembering it was a bit lower than mine (195). If you're using Pfitz's GA range, that's 70-81% mHR (136-158 for me). That's way too high IMO (well, learned from BnB). I think GA should be no higher than 75% mHR (147 for me). GA is meant to be the upper end of aerobic running, which should equate to the upper end of Zone 1, IMO. So I'd say your targets are a little high if you're, say, a 190 max or so (143 would be 75% of 190).Ok Ned...this was either some breakthrough (which recent HRs and paces have me contemplating whether it is)...or I was pushing too fast...
Background on yesterday's run...
Scheduled for 12 GA miles.
Nice cool 50 degree day with a light breeze keeping it nice and cool.
Slept just over 9 hours the night before (rare for me to actually be that rested).
Garmin screwed up when I got to the greenway and would not pick up the satellite. HR part was working so I used it only as an HR monitor and to keep the time. I know the greenway mileage well and its marked in a few places as well. I later reset it after loading my data and its now picking up the satellites again.
Mile 1...just getting a feel for pace...looked down and finished the first mile at 9:43 (HR was steady at 133...this is about midway of my projected recovery zone).
Miles 2-7...I was hitting the lap button when I got to the listed mile markers...so it should be pretty accurate. 9:38 average pace...HR steady from 137-141 (141 is in the lower part of my GA range...and I was hitting some hills in this area).
Miles 7-12...9:33 average 140-146 (146 is just getting to the upper range of GA...147-148 is what I try to keep it under).
Now, I did not know the paces til any mile was done really...or overall til I was back at home looking at the numbers.
My original plan (some of this being conservative backing off of McMillan which says 9:11) was to run the marathon starting at 9:25-9:30 pace and see how my HR was going. Because really, after about 14 miles...Im not sure how my body will respond to this pace.
But if my HR is going to be in GA range that long at that pace (and in low GA range...should I quit being a wimp and up my expectations? Or stay conservative and make darn well sure I don't death march the end of this thing).
The sweet spot for long runs seems to be 71-73%, for me (139-143) or 135-139 for 190 mHR. You'll learn as your endurance improves, your HR will become more and more linear from start to finish. It's down right eerie watching it stay at 140 for miles on end.
RE: bolded. This is strictly from my own limited experience, so take it FWIW. I know I'm against the grain on this, but forget McMillan. He's far too agressive for first time marathoners. His calculator is assuming a highly trained runner. I think running the first half in GA range is the perfect approach for running your first marathon. There's very little upside to starting out at 80% mHR (which is the bottom end of MP in Pfitz's book) and bonking at mile 18. I know its not sexy and is a really hard temptation to ignore (I failed at this).
Play this first one very conservatively and enjoy the accomplishment. Don't get seduced into trying to chase an arbitrary time. Thats what marathons 2+ are for.

Can't wait to hear how this double turns out!
A BLT has become my go to lunch the day before race day.
I'd stay there if she was there.
I can hardly believe it.