What is the New Jersey Marathon (NJM) Pace Team?  The NJM pace team is a group of experienced runners that run an even pace (from 3:00-6:30 marathon time) and will help coach, entertain, encourage, and distract while getting you to the finish in your goal time. 

Do you have Half Marathon Pacers?  Yes!  Since the marathon and half start at the same time all NJM pacers are also pacing the half.  If your goal time is to finish the half in 2:00 follow the 4:00 NJM pace team.  They will be finishing the half in 2:00. 

What paces do you have?  We will try to recruit pacers from 3:00 marathon time to 6:30 and all the Boston Qualifying times. 

How come there isn't a pacer for my goal pace time?  Check back as we get closer to the marathon. We are continually recruiting. We try to recruit for almost all the Boston Qualifying Marathon Times. If there isn't a pace team leader for your pace time, line up at the start according to your goal pace (e.g. if you are pacing 3:35 line up behind the 3:30 pacer) and you'll find others unofficially pacing for your time.

Do pacers maintain an even pace?  Yes!  As much as possible, NJM pacers will do even splits for every mile. 

Do the pacers start out exactly on pace?  Our pacers are experienced marathon runners.  At the start it may be a little crowded and therefore it will take a mile to settle into the pace.  But, the pacers will not take you out too fast and as much as possible they will maintain even splits. 

How do I join the NJM Pace Team?  And is their a fee?     You can sign up at the expo, this gives us an idea of how many people to expect.  Or you can join us at the start.  Joining the pace team is free! 

How can I find the Pace Team Leaders at the start?  30 minutes before the start, all the pace team leaders will line up according to pace carrying large yellow signs with their marathon finish time over their head.  They will be wearing bright colored pacer t-shirts and carrying fluorescent orange pennants displaying their pace time throughout the course. 

If I join the Pace Team does that mean I have to stay with them the whole way?  Not at all.  If at some point you feel that you have the energy to go faster in the second half or are looking to do a negative split you are entirely free to go ahead.  If you are having a bad day and cannot maintain pace, slow down (especially if you are struggling early on).  If you have questions about the appropriate pace team for you come talk to us at the Expo, or consult the race results predictor on MarathonGuide.com. 

I've used the Galloway Method to train for the marathon, will it help to join the pace team? Absolutely!  Although the pace team leaders will be doing even splits, you will see your pace team leader many times through the course, sometimes you will be ahead and sometimes behind. 

Additional questions?  Email the Pace Team Coordinator

IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE MARATHON:

• Stick to your training schedule.
• If you are ill or miss a few days of your training, don't worry.  If you've put the majority of your mileage in, your mileage base should be fine.
• Tell everyone that you know about your plan to run the marathon.  When we verbalize our goals, we are more inclined to stick to them.

IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE MARATHON:

• Know that if you've done the training and have the desire, you can do this!
• Create a checklist of everything you need to pack for pre, during and post race.
• Check the weather prior to the marathon so you know how to dress. If you are staying at a hotel, make sure to pack your bag with appropriate running clothing/gear for any weather so you will have options on the day of the marathon.  You can pick up last minute items at expo but probably only do so if you want to cause it can get expensive.
• If you check the weather report and see something that you don't like in the forecast, don't obsess.  There's a good chance it can be wrong.  Many factors play a part in the sport of marathoning and weather is just one of them.  My sister always tells my niece and nephews, when something is not to their liking, "We get what we get and we don't get upset".   It's a good rule of thumb for marathoning too.  Remember you can only control so much and then accept that you have done everything within your power to ensure success.
• Look at the topography of your marathon course but again, don't obsess.  Note where the hills are and just remember to save a little bit of energy for them.  Walk it if you must but try to keep your pace steady.
• Have a realistic plan of how you are getting to the marathon and what time you will need to leave to get there with time to unwind.  Remember, parking can be a bear.
• Check the website for any last minute updates.

THE DAY / NIGHT BEFORE THE MARATHON:

• Don't eat anything new the day before.  Don't be tempted to try something new if they are giving samples at the marathon expo.  If you want to try it, ask the vendor to give you a sample to take home.
• Consult your checklist.  Make sure you have everything you need.
• Ready your gear for the following morning (you will probably be excited, bleary eyed and nervous all at the same time so it's easy to forget something in that state) and assemble everything in one spot.
• Attach your chip to your sneaker (it might be an ankle strap in which case strap it on).
• Attach your bib number to your running shirt.  I always suggest that you take the time to fill out the emergency info. on the back.  I also recommend that you check out a company/product called Road ID at http://www.roadid.com.  It's well worth it and makes a great gift for a runner in your life.
• If you are checking a bag, attach the number which will be found on the bottom of your race bib to the check in bag they will provide at expo.  Fill it with everything you will need pre and post marathon.
• Gather everything you will carry with you at the marathon.  If you carry water bottles lay them out.  If you use gels, lay them out too.  Assemble your watch, glasses, a cell phone if you carry one, etc. etc.  Gather everything you will need with you post marathon, including dry clothing and a change of sneakers.
• Make sure to give yourself enough time to get to the starting line.  If you are parking it is a nightmare.
• If you are staying at a hotel, ask them about late checkout so you can go back and freshen up before your ride home.  Otherwise, bring plenty of towels to cover you car seats with!  And air freshener wouldn't be a bad idea either.
• If you have people coming to watch you, post them at a designated spot so you will make sure to find them in the crowd (it is usually easier for you to find them than for them to find you). All runners start to look alike after a while!  Let them know what you will be wearing, what pace you think you'll run, etc. Try to get them to see you at two points; you can check the course map to plan it.  Have them at least meet you at mile marker 21, 22, or 23 since that is when you can really use the encouragement. Let them know that your pace leader will be carrying a flag with their finish time in hours so they can look for it.
• Before you go to the starting line, make sure you eat what you normally eat before your run (different things work for different people).  Make sure to bring your food with you since you might not find anything open in the morning.  If your pre-race meal needs to be refrigerated and you are staying at a hotel, check if they have a refrigerator. You can ask if the hotel will be serving an earlier breakfast to accommodate the marathoners.
• For dinner the night before, try to eat whatever you normally eat before your long runs. Most hotels and restaurants offer pasta dinners.  See if you need to make reservations because some of these special dinners sell out quickly.
• If you cannot fall asleep the night before (lots of people experience that), don't worry.  Just try to get some good sleep in the days leading up to the marathon, particularly two nights before.

THE DAY OF THE MARATHON:

• If the longest race you've done is a half marathon and you'd like to join a pace group and are not sure of which one to join there are several formulas recommended to calculate probable pace/finish time for the marathon.  Take the average minutes per mile in your half marathon, add 20 seconds and multiply by 26.2.  More simply, I suggest taking your half marathon time, doubling it and adding 10 minutes to that (or 20 minutes if it is a difficult course).
• If you are nervous before the marathon it's normal and not a bad thing. Everyone else is feeling the same way and that energy can be channeled into some running fuel during the race.  Anyone who says they are 100% certain they can finish is taking their body for granted and should give up the sport.
• Make a note of where the water stations, port a potties and first aid tents are.  They will be marked on the map given to you at expo or on line. 

DURING THE MARATHON:

• Double knot your shoes.  It's both a pain (and dangerous) to stop mid marathon to tie your shoelace.
• Run your own race.  It is good to have a time goal but don't obsess over it.  Aim to finish, not to meet a particular (or unrealistic) time goal.
• Don't waste energy trying to pass people.
• Pacing is the best strategy in a race.  Naturally, your pace will vary a bit due to bottlenecks, drinking breaks, rest stops, photo opportunities, etc. but try to stay steady and strong!
• I always recommend that people race the first 1/2-3/4 of the course conservatively and then speed up if they are still feeling good with gas in the tank.  The worst thing you can do is start out too fast and exhaust yourself with an entire race before you.  It's physically bad for you and psychologically bad too.  You want to end the race feeling strong... exhilarated and tired but strong.  I speak from experience... once I really wanted to see what it would be like to stand right at the front of the starting line for a race of 1000's.  I got caught up in the moment and wound up going out way, way, way too fast for myself and really burned out badly!
• If you practice the Galloway method of running alternating with walking, don't change a thing during the marathon.  If you really want to follow a pacer, just leap frog back and forth with your eye out for the pacer flag.  I once had a pacee who starting his walking towards the end of a story I was telling.  When he caught up with the pace group, he said his motivation was to hear the finish of my story.
• If you should lose the group because you need to stop for a few seconds, don't try to catch up all at once.  Do it gradually so that you don't get tired doing it.  The group will be easily visible with the pace leader flag.
• Take your energy gels/cubes/jelly beans/bars/liquids/skittles/chocolate covered coffee beans at your usual intervals.  Usually it is recommended to take them at least once for every hour you are out on the course.  Of course, there are exceptions but again, do not differ from how you've taken them during your training.  When desperate, you might try an additional one and see if it gives you're the extra umph you need.
• Remember, you are timed on chip time (the time when you actually cross the starting line mat to the time you cross the finish mat) so do not worry how much time it takes you to get to the start.
• If you are experiencing discomfort or pain during the marathon, listen to your body.  You will know whether it is real pain (a pulled something or other) or simply (but still painfully) muscle discomfort or defeatist attitude/self doubt.  Remember that you are running 26.2 miles.  If it is muscle discomfort or psychological, keep on going.  Do whatever you need to do to talk yourself back into the race.  Repeat a mantra, talk to the person next to you, distract yourself by checking out (never poking fun at.) other runners and spectators, feed off of everyone else's energy, take it mile by mile (I am at mile 16... for now I just need to get to mile 17).  If you decide it is real pain, CEASE AND DESIST.  It is not worth really hurting yourself.  You will live to marathon another day.   There are over 494 marathon races in 62 countries and on all 7 continents.  You can find another one.

AFTER THE MARATHON:

• Try the gelato on the boardwalk... It is by far the best!
• Bring a pair of comfy shoes to change to... You might need a lit bit of separation time from your sneakers.
• Change to some dry clothes.
• Wear your medal with pride!