Pacing Strategies in the ‘Athens Classic Marathon’: Physiological and Psychological Aspects Despite the increasing scientific interest in the relationship between pacing and the performance of the marathon, there are a few information about the combination of pacing with physiological and psychological parameters. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the role of physical fitness and training properties at pacing at the “Athens Classic Marathon”. The finishers of this race in 2017 (women, n = 26, age 40.8 ± 9.4 years; men, n = 130, old 44.1 ± 8.6 years) were analyzed on their paping during the race, theMotivation of Marathon Scale (MOMS) examined and a number of physiological tests performed. Women and faster leisure runners took a more uniform pacing. A more uniform pacing was associated with a higher aerobic capacity and less muscle force in men, but not in women. Men with even pacing achieved higher psychological coping, self-esteem, life consent, recognition and competition as their colleagues with less uniform pacing.
In view of the rising number of participants in marathon runs, these findings can help a wide range of professionals working with runners to optimize the pacing of their athletes. The whole study can be found under www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fhys.2018.01539/full