Being a CEP Pacer

There's just over two weeks left now until Dublin Rock n Roll half marathon, where I get the amazing job of being the 3 hour CEP pacer again. So, I thought that it's about time that I reflected the experience of being a CEP pacer at Liverpool Rock n Roll ready to give both pacers and runners at Dublin a heads up of what they can expect.

I was really lucky that I have the best pace partner ever at Liverpool Rock n Roll.  Me and Alison paced the three hour half at Liverpool Rock n Roll, crossing the finish in 2:59:35.  We were really pleased with how well we did but we weren't surprised, we check our times at every mile marker against some pace bands that I made the night before (And then using a pace calculator on my phone when the pace band vanished).  We had a small group of runners that we'd see every so often during the race but we just kept to our pace and let them do their own thing.  It can be hard to leave runners who you have been encouraging but if you can't keep them with you then you just have to keep going because you don't know whether other people in front or behind you are using you as a guide for a specific time.  After we crossed the finish a number of runners were waiting to say thanks.  They'd used us as a marker to stay in front of the entire time and we'd helped get them the time that they wanted.  It is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done and I'd highly recommend everyone having a go at some point.

So, for those joining us in Dublin...

To the runners: Running with a pacer can make your race, especially if you're after a

specific time. We get to the race early and go through all of the prep stuff so that we can be waiting in the relevant corrals when you get there. We'll then do our best to try and get you round the course within the specified time (We're only human and we're still running a race too so sometimes we can have the same issues that any other runner can, so please be nice if thinks don't exactly go to plan).  Most pacers run an even pace throughout the race but your pacer should be able to tell you their plan.  You don't right next to us either.  If your pacer has a group of people around them that puts you off running with them just keep an even distance in front or behind.  At Dublin we'll be wearing a bright red CEP t-shirt and socks so we're pretty easy to spot in the distance.  We're usually quite a friendly bunch so don't be afraid to ask questions.  There is a 'Meet the Pacer' session planned for 1pm at the expo on the Saturday before the race but more details will be available on the Dublin Rock n Roll website, facebook page and twitter.

To the pacers: I'm be no means a pacer expert but I thought I'd share my knowledge.  These are just my opinions, feel free to ignore.

Marathon Art

Today was a rubbish day, not been able to move.  Found something new to fill my time though, marathon art.  I made one for my friend for her birthday and decided to do some for myself too because they're quite fun to do and you just need the route and the colour scheme of the race.  

I do like the one for Brighton better because it has a great colour scheme.  Liverbird isn't the most exciting route ever in print but who cars, I ran that.  Eight times.  They look pretty cool framed too if I do say so myself.  I'm going to do a tour one next.

Medal Watch

No one likes a told ya so but...

So, let's go through me medal count:

1. Half Marathon medal
2. Fun Run medal
3. Encore medal if you ran the RnR Dublin half last year
4. World Rocker medal, if you've done a RnR half/full somewhere else in the same calender year
5. Double Beat Heavy medal, same as the world rocker but you have to register here

You do not have to do anything to get the first four medals other than turn up and run.

For more information about the races go here http://www.runrocknroll.com/dublin/

Medal Watch - Dublin is getting an encore medal

The RnR guys are trying to keep us in suspense by announcing another possible medal but the shape is oddly familiar.  Does it remind anyone who did both Liverpool RnR's of anything? Like their Liverpool Encore medal perhaps, awarded for doing the race two years in a row? That brings the possible medal count up to 5.  Five medals in one day has got to be a record.  It even beats EHM where gold runners can get four medals in one day.

2015 Liverpool RnR Encore Medal

Medal Watch - Dublin Rock n Roll

Rock n Roll Double Beat medal

Right, first things first, has everyone who has done another Rock n Roll event this year signed up for the Heavy Medal?  You need to register at the following link and then you will be sent the lovely Double Beat medal after you complete the Dublin half marathon.  This is additional to the World Rocker medal.  It's really easy to do, just click here and complete your details.  If you sign up for the Double Beat medal and do the 3k fun run it means you can get a total of four medals for the day if you have done another half/full race in the same calender year.

So, you will get the half marathon medal, the medal for the fun run and the massive World Rocker medal on the day ad the Double Beat medal will be sent to you after.

RnR Dublin have also just announced that as a good will gesture anyone who entered the shall we say disappointing Titanic Half in Belfast can get 50% off the Dublin Rock n Roll half marathon.  More details can be found here.  The t-shirt has been revealed too!!

Enteries for the two races on the 2nd August are still open.  The half starts at 8:30 and the fun run at 11:45 so it is possible to do both.  For more details go to http://www.runrocknroll.com/dublin/

Medal Watch - North Wales Half

2015 North Wales Half medal

The North Wales Half Marathon by Run Wales is in the 26th July and this is the medal.  I love the Run Wales medals, I've gotten a few so far this year, at Rhyl 10 and Wrexham Half.  Their quietly understated but they're still pretty and stand out.  I love the t-shirts and medals are always coordinated too.

Apparently the race goes over sand, road and mountain, it's a shame it wasn't before the tour because it sounds like it would have been good training.  I'l have to do all of the Run Wales races one year, I'll be at Thunder Run this year though so can't make it.  For more information about the race please click here.

Medal Watch

2015 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend medals

I wish I lived in the US because these medals for the Disneyland Half weekend are sooooo nice.  I love the Dumbo Double Dare one in the centre that you get for doing the 10k and half marathon back to back over two days.  The 5k medal is pretty nice too, it's a special one for the 10th anniversary of Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend.  I'm not as keen on the half marathon medal but the centre does spin and the Snow White themed 10k medal isn't my favourite but I certainly wouldn't knock them back if someone offered to let me to to California to get them.