BEST MARATHON PACING STRATEGY | Sage Running Tips and Advice

Whether you're going for a Boston Qualifier or looking to finish in a personal best time, here are some pacing tips and guidelines.

[xnavyeod]

I would just like to thank you as I have ran a 3:34 marathon and it is mostly due to your advise....cheers

[xandersmith]

Very useful info !!! I just ran a marathon were I hit the wall @ mile 22 where I was on track to finish with a time of 2:39 and ended up finishing with a time 2:54 ! !!! Felt horrible during the last 4 mile as I saw people past me where I was on track to be within in the prize money ($250 - 6th place) but ended up finishing 15th 😐😐😐

[Maxyshadow]

Thanks Sage. You and Sandi always seem to be there with help for my next step in running!

[sahumullasaud]

I'm doing my first marathon this weekend and I am trying to convince myself not to go for sub 4hrs. My best run so far is a sub 3hr 30k (thats my 3rd 30k). That wasnt too bad so i just feel hey 12km more may be ok. But what you said just hit me like a brick. Half way is not 21km, its 20 miles. I needed that. Thanks a lot.

[bboysurme]

Thx sage i finished my first marathon with the help of youre videos appriciate it

[bizofbiz]

Hey Sage, thanks for all the advice - I've been following you for about a year now and love the channel! I have a YouTube question: do you get more money if we watch an ad all the way through (rather than skipping it) before your videos? I'll happily let them burble away first if so!

[RickMartinYouTube]

realize such a high finish in this year's Boston. Thanks for providing the videos/tips/coaching.

[VitorCaldeira]

iam going to run my third marathon in about 3 weeks, and i will take your pacing advice in consideration. Last year i started way to fast and although i improved my previous marathon time i almost bonk.

[alojzacoo]

Great training talk video! Finally heard really valuable reasons why NOT to negative split ..if I really want run to my potential. Probably much more risky way to pace marathon but..really it is rare to find a lot of marathon winners who negative split . That negative split strategy costed me PB (barely under 3 h)about 2 weeks ago in marathon when realtively low but long uphills (2km on 34-35 km of the race) killed my pace by 10-15 s for the remaining 7 km..I was trying to keep up that quicker speed after planned speed up after 28th km. Also in my opinion it is really hard and illogical to have the best splits in the last 10 km of the marathon when glicogen reserves are empty. I liked what I heard and fully agree, thanks Sage.

[JavierISampedroTNF]

After I ran my first marathon only 2 weeks ago, I experience some of the facts you mention about hitting the wall but was able to manage it decently and finish under my target time. Lesson learnt though for next time: don´t start too strong and don´t forget to keep drinking (I did but seemed not enough), as I have been running more half marathon distances race.

Very useful the video and will try to keep in mind your advices when I face my next marathon race.

[stephenlauret]

Thanks Sage for answering my question. Now going to watch what you have to say about 1/2 marathon pacing. I have been looking at race predictor charts quite some times and I never found them that usefull haha. Anyway wanted to say thanks, will use all this in Rotterdam 2016.

[ChiWoodruff]

yep I learned this lesson the hard way lol hit the wall and cramped at 20 miles, hobbled to the finish

[snakey]

That's EXACTLY what happened to me, I felt awesome until I hit the 22 mile mark- then I totally blew up and had to walk/limp/shuffle to the finish
I wish I wouldve known this was the number 1 mistake

[giovanbattistafichera]

Yeaaaah I just ran a 1:51 half and I really don't think I'm gonna nail a sub 4 marathon at first attempt. Especially in the Greek one, which is slightly uphill from mile 15 to 22. I think a 4:10-4:30 finish is much more realistic.

[frenchismexican]

Thanks. Halfway is 20 miles. Will take that tip!

[kaylaz.hebebrand]

Awesome info thank you for all you do. I enjoy watching you videos.

[Ravewithme]

Thanks for the great advice, Sage. Your videos are super helpful. I am running my first half in one month and my first full in April 2016. I'm certain I'll re-watch this video when it gets closer to full marathon time :)

[Ferroriz]

In this crappy denver metro weather... how do you train.? Do you gym it up or still run outside. If you go outside? How do you prepare for the weather, what do you wear?

[TheBalls]

Great video, Sage. Thanks for doing it. I'll be running my first marathon in NYC next Sunday, and this is helpful advice. I've been running for a couple of years and have a half marathon PR of 1:28. Since this is my first marathon and I don't know how my body will react after 20+ miles, I'm setting a goal of 3:10. With your advice, I'm going to focus on fueling and try to run even splits (1:35/1:35). If I feel good at 22 miles, I'll push. Thanks again for the advice!

[ashleyturner]

This Spring is my first full marathon. I get really over excited and want to go full out after tapering. With all the excitement of race day, how do you contain yourself and not go out to fast?