Ideal pace

October 26, 2010

I  hit a wall when running my very first half-marathon in Ottawa, and it’s definitely not something I ever wanted to experience again…and then unlucky me I did, when running the Around the Bay 30k race about a year later. I felt like I was moving my legs (although just barely), and yet that darn Copps Coliseum didn’t seem to be getting any closer. I was convinced someone was playing a cruel joke on me.

Now a Harvard student has come up with a formula that uses your VO2max to calculate a reasonable running pace for a marathon without hitting a wall. Interested?  Get out your calculator and click here to get the details. I’d break it down for you, but it’s waaay beyond my arithmetic skillz.

P.S. Is it wrong that I’m thankful I can wear Nike shoes for running (as I’m a neutral runner, ie. I don’t overpronate or underpronate) because I love how flashy and stylish their running shoes are? Well, I guess we did just establish that I’m a fashion snob. But c’mon, check out the acid yellow detailing and bright crimson sole of the LunarEclipse+? Loves it. In fact, I’d be tempted just to ignore any pronation issues just to look mighty fine while running!

Kidding (kinda sorta). I’m not that shallow. Really.

Filed under: Fitness Swellness

Tags: half-marathon, marathon, pace, running, V02 max