I Unfollowed the Pacers

No, it’s not the Indiana NBA team. That’s not the Pacers I’m talking about. I’m not also pertaining to the implantable device that a cardiologist place on people whose heart rate may be too low or too fast.

What I’m featuring in this post are pacers who are experienced runners who maintains a consistent, predetermined speed during a race to help other runners achieve a specific time goal.

Last week I participated in a road race. The events include a half marathon (13.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), and 5K (3.1 miles) run. They also have a 1 mile run/walk for the kids.

It was cool and foggy that morning. Perfect weather to run. Not too cold and not too hot, with no sun rays to burn you. Visibility may be limited with the fog, but we would be running and not driving so we should be alright.

Photo above is when we were lining up before the start of the race. This was the line where the race would start and end. Notice the people holding those signs with numbers? They were the pacers.

Photo below is right after we were released from the starting line, which was in the heart of the city of Des Moines. I was running behind the “2:40” pacer, which was the pace that I felt I would be comfortable with.

After the first mile, I warmed up and I decided to overtake the “2:40” pacer and chase the “2:30” pacer. I was confident that I can sustain this pace. Photo below is when we were running by the banks of Des Moines River.

I followed the “2:30” pacer through the 2nd and 3rd mile, and I was still running comfortably. Following the pacer kept me at the right tempo I trained on, plus it ensured me not to stray off course. Photo below is when we were crossing Gray’s Lake.

However after the 3rd mile, that was the last time I saw the pacers. Why? Because I unfollowed them.

No, I did not get tired and fell off the pace. I did not quit the race either.

The reason I unfollowed the pacers, was because the pacers were for the half marathon and I was only doing the 6.2-mile run. I had to turn around after the 3rd mile marker in the race course and head back to the finish line.

I kept the same pace though and finished my run “on time.” Maybe next run, I’ll follow the pacers all throughout the course.