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If comfortable at 6s per km faster than target race pace (4 mins over 42km) do you have the option to reset your target?
I.e. as it looks you're training at pace to hit 2h58m30s then you might be able to adjust to a 2.55 schedule and plan as that may be comfortably achievable and also bank a few more mins of leeway.
To relate, when i reflect on my only sub 3 attempt it's that I trained to 6.49/mile (4.15/16/km) which meant I had no wriggle room at all. If i was to have another go i'd aim to hit a 2.55 mara pace on those key sessions and race day so that if I had a perfect day sub 3 would be easily done, else it'd still be within reach if not quite a perfect day.
Risk to that is could overstretch and end up hitting 3.00.01 or slower on the day but personally I'd be happier with that approach and level of risk.
Might be too risky, but food for thought.
rhb-
hmm, its an good point, my first target is wokingham in two weeks after which i might reconsider my target, the main thing holding me back is that in my mind following behind a pacer for 26 miles means i can just switch off and only have to concentrate on mile 18 onwards when it start to hurt.
will check back in 2 weeks post wokingham and canvas opinion again if ive either had my confidence trashed or i've run something approaching a 1:24!
Sainsburys_Ed
Didn't find it hard and so far the only session I've struggled with was Sunday's 10 miles at race pace but that was more a function of an over exuberant weights session and spending 4 hours on the bike the day before.
My concern is that rather than dialling in a steady race pace I'm getting good at running at the wrong speed!