Marathon Pacers Training Report - filed by FatBird Anthony
After last year's success, Team FatBird started recruitment of the batch of 2009 Marathon Pacers for the SCSM09. The response for the 42km distance across the various timing groups were encouraging, although we could do with more applicants to pace the 21km distance.
We called up the Pacers for a kickoff run this morning, in preparation for a 12-week training program for them. 30+ turned up at The FatBird Nest, The PlayGround @ Big Splash in what was one of the more windy and cool mornings, after a bout of drizzle in the wee dawn. About half were 2008's pacers, 20% were pacees whom have benefitted in 2008 and have come on to contribute as pacers in 2009, and 30% are new runners to Team FatBird.
We did a 18km @ marathon pace for the respective pace timings, mainly to get a feel of what was required, as well as having a chance to chit-chat and get-to-know-one-another on the run. ECP had a lot more bikers than runners this morning, what with the just concluded AHM, and although SCSM09 is coming up, it is still early for most to rev their engines...hehe. Keonz and Henry did a fine job of running up and down and guiding the pacers, while the more experienced TFB runners were running alongside and chatting with their respective pace group runners. Because it was just for the pacers, the group was maintained to that smallish group, and the atmosphere was pretty cozy.
I finished the run with the 5hr pace group in a real easy 2hr, after which was followed by more chatting over 100plus and bananas. The dedicated microsite for Pacers will be set up by next week, and Pacers will be able to plan their training schedule and track their weekly timings. This will also be the first time the Pacers will be introduced to heart-rate training via the TFB FlightZONES System.
The weeks ahead will be interesting as we get to know one another better, as well as finding our comfortable race day pace. Since the key objective of the Pacer is to motivate and bring the runners across the finish line in targeted timing, the Pacer will not be going for Personal Best, and will be running at a comfortable 15-30min off his/her PB. This will be something that the Pacers will be conditioned and trained to do over the next many weeks.
Follow Our Pace, Win Your Race!
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