Stupid Question about PBs

New to the forum and have enjoyed having a good old nose through recent threads. This may sound like a dumb question but hey ho. When it comes to PBs, do you only count races? Eg, in an organised 10k race I have run 49:49 but running 10k on my own accord I have run 44.33. What should I count as my PB? Cheers!

I count organized race times as my pb's. Because these are accurately measured courses to the standards of the supervising body. I can't be sure that my own 10k or whatever distance run is accurate. A Garmin isn't good enough, btw. Races are measured using special kit.

Not a stupid question, incidentally

I have a PB for practically every different route i take !  

If u have a garmin log in to garmin connect then you can name and record each route.... and if you are a geek like me you can try to beat each PB

Thanks Muttley, Mr Puffy, makes sense.

I have a garmin login, Monty39, and do that as well.

I always run far better in races than I do on training runs anyway. I can never replicate the pace by myself.

My 49 min 10k race time was 4 years ago whereas the 44.33 training time was a couple of months ago. A shame I can't say my 10k pb is sub 45 but motivation to get booked into a race!

Paxton, that's a huge difference in your race v solo times.

Now, you have a garmin, and while not 100%, they will surely be pretty accurate, so is there some massive detail explaining the difference?

Such as you being much fitter when you did your solo run v the race? Or was the race done on a very hot or hilly course?

Like Muttley says, it's standard to be able to produce much faster in a race than training.

For instance,in training I find it a big effort to run 2miles at my 10mile race pace. Yet in said race, it just feels "comfortably hard". Race day magic.

Yes Paxton I was wondering about the time difference as it is a bit big. I would say in a race you would find you will be well under 45 minutes.

I recall the first time I raced a 5k it was 3-4  minutes faster than I had ever run it on my own, trying to go fast.

The race is the place for a fast pace

Yeah, I thought I would be pulled up on the size of the difference. They are 4 years apart. The 44.33 was in March whilst training for the VLM so i was in the best shape I have ever been in, the 49.49 was at the Nike Run London 10k at Wembley in 2008 when I wasn't on any particular training programme and probably half a stone heavier.

Just makes a slightly massive difference there pal

That's a sore point!

My training was geared around sub 4 and thought I was on course, half marathon time was 1.46, 16 miles was 2.15, a hilly 20 miles was 2.58. On marathon day, the pace was stop start with the congestion as you know so I kept speeding up when I had a bit of room to make up the time. Hit halfway on course. Then at 17 miles I started to feel cramp twinges. I decided to stretch to catch it before it took hold. Bad idea, everything tightened on stopping and struggled to get going again. A downward spiral from there. I always thought the wall was myth until then! The last 8 miles were an emotional run/walk I'm afraid. Came in at 4.44.43.

I'm keen to have another crack at marathon distance so any advice on where you think I went wrong (speeding up at points/stopping to stretch/unrealistic target?) is most welcome. Cheers.

Paxton, marathons certainly aren't my thing, but I've read of a few people training up for them...what kind of mileage did you do in the build up, and what length long runs? Also what pace long runs?

I've read of people training for marathons on 25-30miles a week, and I just think wow...that's under prepared.,... a "get round", but in no means any kind of "do yourself justice" job.

Sorry to hear that London didn't go according to plan Paxton.  If it's any consolation, mine didn't either.  I think the warm start plus I didn't have the best prep the few days before sabotaged mine slightly.

Moving on from that, if you want to have a good crack at another marathon, consistency is the key.  Build your training up, follow a plan and you will get faster.  Marathons are tough and you can't expect to be great at them on a few months training.  Also be realistic on your racing schedule.  Many people run marathons every week, which is great, but you can't race a marathon every week.  The top guys only race a marathon a few times a year.  You can race shorter distances much more often in the build up to your target to help you develop speed and race craft.

The great thing about running is that there are lots of distances to choose from, each having their own challenges if you want to do them well.

Good luck.