Pace Bands

So today I have been thinking about my pace band. I have used pace bands in every marathon that I have raced and in every one that I have paced (except for the one where it tore off my arm when I took off my throw away shirt at mile 1, sorry V). I really believe in wearing one, because nothing is more concrete than numbers, especially when your brain turns to mathematical mush at the 20Th mile. I actually got a really cool Velcro pace band from the Nike booth at the Boston Expo and I will be using that again this week.

So why wear one? First off, it is a realistic view of what you need to run and when you need to run it. Whether you print it 20 weeks or 1 week before the race, your goal is set in whatever colour and font you choose. Second, a pace band gives you a mile by mile breakdown of exactly what pace and time you HAVE to do. This will give you a deadline to follow as well as giving you a easy pace to follow at the beginning of the race too. So it should both hold you back and motivate you on to the finish. Lastly, it will give you a regular distraction for the 26.2 miles or 42.2 kms, (whichever you choose to run).

I usually print off 2 Pace bands for my race.

• My drop dead goal, meaning the time I MUST cover the miles in.
• My dream target goal, meaning what I can hope to go for if the planets and stars are in alignment.

BTW, I am pretty superstitious so I don't ever show what bands I am wearing before the race. Don't ask.

Here are some cool links to Pace bands that I have found. I used to have a great one that offered basically a mile by mile customizable spreadsheet so that you can enter whatever times and paces you wanted. If anyone finds that one, please forward it to me.

This is still the best one that I have found: Ottawa Pace Tag

This one is straight forward and plain.

You can buy a cool looking "livestrong" type bracelet here.

Marathon guide pace band app (pretty looking, big numbers)

RW Pace band generator

And for anyone doing Boston, check out this one. HOLY COW!