Compare standard static marathon pace bands against a 50.2%/49.8% negative-split waterproof wristband with mile-by-mile hill adjustments and Maurten/GU gel checkpoints.
| Checkpoint | Grade + Heat Pace | Elapsed Clock | Gel / Caffeine Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mile 1 (Unmasked) | 8:07 / mi | 8m 07s | Pre-Race Gel (-15m) |
| Mile 2 (Unmasked) | 8:09 / mi | 16m 16s | Steady Aerobic Guard |
| Mile 3 (Unmasked) | 7:59 / mi | 24m 15s | Steady Aerobic Guard |
| Mile 4 (Unmasked) | 7:58 / mi | 32m 14s | Gel #1 (Maurten) + 150ml H2O |
| Mile 5 (Unmasked) | 7:49 / mi | 40m 03s | Steady Aerobic Guard |
| Miles 6–26.2 + Crux Hills (M16–21) | Miles 16 to 21 Crux Pace: 8:XX / mi + 100mg Caf Gel Gate [Locked] | 1st Half: 1h 44m 17s | Tap to Unlock Free Wristband PDF + Garmin .TCX + M6–26.2 Gel Card ($0 Email) → |
To run a 3h 28m 57s finish (fitness score 46.0), hold a 7:58/mile target pace, cross the 13.1-mile halfway mark at 1h 44m 17s (unmasked) on a 49.9% / 50.1% even-effort hill split, adjust Crux Miles 16–21 to 8:XX/mi (unlock exact Crux Miles 16–21 splits & 1:1 waterproof wristband free above), and fuel with 60g to 90g/hour of carbs using Maurten gels.
Unlocks your Crux Miles 16–21 grade-adjusted splits & hydrogel intake matrix above, and dispatches your printable 1-page Baseline Split Sheet.
| Race Checkpoint | Distance | Cumulative Split Clock | Segment Pace Target | Fueling Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5K Gate (Unmasked Specimen #1) | 3.1 Miles | 0:25:06 | 8:07/mi (Controlled Start +6s/mi Banked) | 1 Pre-Race Maurten (-15 min) + 1 Gel at Mile 4 |
| 10K Gate (Unmasked) | 6.2 Miles | 0:49:41 | 8:07/mi (Steady Rhythm) | 50g Total Carbs (2x Maurten + Water) |
| Halfway Split (Unmasked Specimen #1) | 13.1 Miles | 1h 44m 17s | 7:58/mi (Goal Pace Transition) | 100g Total Carbs (3x Maurten @ Mile 4, 8, 12) |
| Rows #1–#3 (5K, 10K & Halfway 13.1M Specimen #1) Shown Free Above • Enter Email Above to Unlock All 5 Comparison Rows Free ($0) or Get Instant Pass ($7) → | ||||
To achieve a 3h 28m 57s finish, your average target pace is 7:58 per mile. Under a 49.9% / 50.1% even-effort hill split plan, run the opening miles at 8:07/mi and cross the 13.1-mile halfway mark at 1h 44m 17s (unmasked above) before adjusting to 8:XX/mi across Crux Miles 16–21 (unlock exact Crux splits free via email above).
Aim for 60g to 90g of carbs per hour for races over 2.5 hours. Using Maurten gels, take 1 gel 15 minutes before the start and follow your mile-by-mile fueling schedule at Mile 4, 8, 12, 16 (100mg Caffeine Gate), 19.5, and 22.5.
Going out 5% faster than 7:58/mi in the first 5K burns through stored muscle glycogen up to 24% faster. Holding 8:07/mi through Mile 3 and crossing 13.1 miles at 1h 44m 17s saves your legs for Crux Miles 16–21 and the final 10K push to 3h 28m 57s.
Going out 10-15 sec/mi too fast in Miles 1-5 burns through your energy stores 38% faster and can cost you 14+ minutes after Mile 20. Your Rolling / Hill Adjusted (+/- 450ft GAP) pace plan hits halfway at 1h 44m 17s and finishes strong in 1h 44m 40s on the second half with 11 timed gels (72g carbs/hr).