1/2IM Bike Pacing
2287
Member
2294 days
Tribro posted 3 years ago.
If by zone 2 you're talking about 75-85% of your max, then I'd say that's your goal. You definitely want to be comfortable and conserve some energy for the run. In my opinion better to go out too slow and pick up the slack in run, than to burn out on the bike and have to walk or drop out. Since it's your first half, use it as a learning tool. Go out at your comfortable pace (120) and see how that feels at the end of the day. If you feel you have something left at the end, then you know you can pick up the pace for next season.
good luck and have fun :)
29
Member
1675 days
Thurber posted 3 years ago.
Good luck this weekend!
Also, Tribro is 100% dead-on. Did my first 1/2 iron this year, good swim, great bike...and then BAM, NOTHING left on the run. I finished, did way too much walking, but was really sorry I lost it in the run. Hold yourself back on the bike if needed. They'll be plenty of folks to catch on the run.
Am doing my first Half IM this Sunday November 21.
Have done lots of marathons but never a 1/2IM so have no real "feel" for how hard to bike so as not to trash my legs for the run. On my 50 to 60 mile training rides I have noticed that at HR of mid 120s and cadence of 90 rpm I feel very little strain. Is mid-120s a good HR for a first 1/2IM? (this is a flat course here in South Florida). That's mid my Zone-2. Am I being too conservative?