there's no real downside - the best use of the pacer is to keep from going out too fast

you can always run ahead or drop back as you see fit

Like someone else has already said, running with a faster pace group is a recipe for disaster. If you or she is trying to qualify for Boston, I would think that you would have some experience with this? Run with the pace group that you are planning on finishing at. Most pacers will usually go out slightly slower and pick it up after a few miles and then stay at even splits. Using a pacing group is not any different than picking someone out of a crowd and trying to stay with them for the entire run or segments of the run. I have to admit; I did try about 5 years ago to stay with the 3:10 group to run a 3:15 and crashed at about mile 21 only to see the 3:15 group go by me like I was standing still. I was trying to factor in the fact that, at the time, I would always bonk the last 4 or so miles. So my thinking was go a bit faster so that I could slow down. I didn't think that I would be reduced to a jog/walk that day. I learned my lesson.

Remember that every course is different. Twin Cities, for example, has some uphill stretches from miles 21-23. Knowing those will be there to greet you, you may want to ask yourself, and any prospective pace leader, how to run the course to meet your time goal. Even splits may not be the best way. The TC Marathon web site has pace charts that generally include a gradual warm-up, followed by many miles at pace, followed by the likely slowdown caused by hills and fatigue above 21.Ask a prospective pace leader what his or her race strategy will be -- they may or may not use the marathons pace charts --and then decide if that will work for you.

Also, remember that pace leaders are human. Some are better at implementing consistent pace than others.

Personally, I like running either with or near pace groups. Having someone else worry about the pacing details takes a bit of a load off. And even if there is very little talking the comraderie of the group helps to move you along. One downside is that if it is a large group, moving through the water stops can be a bit congested.

I plan to use a pace group (3:15) at NY marathon. I think the next slowest pace group is 3:30, so I found the comments about choosing a slower pace group at the start interesting. However, 15 minutes slower is a lot; and I'm not sure how pace groups at NY, or any other large marathon would work because of the large crowds (there are bound to be tons of people running your pace who may not be aware they're in a pace group). At any rate, it would probably be easier to slow down to a slower pace group than speed up to a faster one, if you found it necessary.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by tarbs:
The reason we were looking at the 3:40 pace group is we did not see a chart for 3:45. Anyone know of a good site to work up a 3:45 pace chart? Also, when trying to BQ, I am assuming they go by chip time?<HR>

Go to MarathonGuide, and select Pace Wristband Creator (http://www.marathonguide.com/fitnesscalcs/PaceBandCreator.cfm)