15 replies to this topic

[churchie11]

So I'm entered for my first C2S this year from the blue group

Just want some advice on pacing strategy

Is the usual thought to take it easy through the first 6km, steady on the hills and then bring it home downhill at the end?

Or is it better to bank some time in the first 6km?

Looks like a hard race to 'negative split' due to the 2nd half having all the hills

[UnfitnessFanatic]

This race isn't like any other race you will do.  You need to throw all your regular pacing strategies out the window.  Heartbreak hill from memory is at the 6 or 7 k mark.  But once your up heartbreak hill and even before, it is very up and down all the way and I think you need to experience it to understand how your going to run it.  Even after my first race last year I am still wondering how to attack it this year!

[Casper84]

It is quite up and down b4 heartbreak hill, so I try to take it steady but, then try and power up heartbreak hill as best one can which is about 1-1.5km long, then there is another hill from memory and pretty much the last 4km ur all set to put the hammer down and give it your all, especially the last 2km down to bondi. That's my thoughts

[johnnyboyrun]

if its your first time you want to get to the top of heart break hill with a fair bit of gas in the tank as there is another nice hill to go....save yourself for the last 4km  first time around

[churchie11]

Thanks. I'm not out to break any records, I just want to enjoy the run and not die halfway!

[LungRunner]

There is an deceptive incline from North end of Bondi Beach through to about Beach Road - about 3-400m.  Because the end is so near and you've emptied the tank coming down from Dover Heights it's always harder than you recall.  Remember to save a bit of gas for this.

[ShutUpAndRun]

You are not telling us anything about yourself.

Why are you in the blue group, do you have any recent 10k or half marathon times, , are you good on hills (up and down), etc?

I know the course fairly well, having run it for the last 20+ years; I am now starting from the back of the red group
The best advice I can give you under the circumstances is to run an even effort, i.e, you run the downhills faster and the uphills slower than the flats according to perceived exertion.

It's good advice not to be deceived by the distance and proximity to the beach when you run along Campbell Parade (parallel to the beach itself). That part of the course is usually fairly crowded with green and blue runners anyway. Wait until you make the final sharp turn into the very broad finishing straight where you can unleash your lethal finishing kick to admiring glances from the spectators and without too much fear of running into somebody.

[churchie11]

About me... Only been running properly for two months. Previously struggled to run more than a km at a time!

Have been slowly building a base up. Currently doing long runs of 11-13kms at a slow pace 6:15-6:30/km once a week and 2-3 shorter runs per week.

I ran the Mothers Day Classic 8km in 44:18 a month ago and have recently done a 5km in 24:24.

I am aiming for my first half marathon in October - Melbourne Marathon.

Running from the blue group as I don't have any qualifying times

[Beau]

Which is steeper Heartbreak Hill C2S or Gateway Bridge B2B? Anyone?

[johnnyboyrun]

Have a look- last years Garmin file http://connect.garmi...ivity/119781664

[UnfitnessFanatic]

I find the gateway bridge in bridge to brisbane much easier.  Its only 1km of climb and you have 1km downhill straight after it so IMO heartbreak hill is much harder.

[meinmuk]

I think that the hills themselves are pretty similar. The experience is different, in that the Gateway is right at the start of the run, so you're full of beans, while Heartbreak is halfway through. Heartbreak is a little longer, but of similar inclination.

[Tuttle]

churchie11, on 03 June 2012 - 05:44 PM, said:

Looks like a hard race to 'negative split' due to the 2nd half having all the hills

Most of us probably do manage a negative split at C2S.  And, from memory, the official "Half Way" point (ie, where they have the 7k sign) is in fact a little past the "real" half way point.

[johnnyboyrun]

yes, you should always aim to negative split this race or very close to. if you dont chances are you have done something wrong

[UnfitnessFanatic]

I remember hitting heartbreak hill last year and saying to myself "right your not slowing to more than x:50 per km pace."  then that target moved to x:55, x+1:00, x+1:05, x+1:10 then finally I will not go over x+1:20.  Which I didn't so I won (the game in my head) I think...

[GreenConsort]

churchie 11

I ran from Blue last year with a similar preparation to yours. My plan was to take it easy until heart break hill so that I had plenty in the tank to run up the hill and still be in good shape to take it home. My recollection is that the hill is not that steep but if goes on for perhaps 2km so you just knuckle down and run it steadily. If you have paced yourself wisely you will overtake hundreds of people from the start of heart break hill onwards.

Another tip is to get there early so you can be at the front of Blue. If not you will have thousands of walkers and runners in front of you.