There’s nothing quite like marathon season. Streets fill with cowbells, strangers hand out orange slices and months of training all boil down to one long, unpredictable morning. Whether you’re chasing a PB or just hoping to stay upright through 42.2K, pacing can make or break the day.
As reported by Insidehook, elite runner Reed Fischer (who boasts a marathon PB of 2:10:54) uses a simple strategy that takes the stress out of pace-watching and helps keep the race in rhythm from the first step to the finish line.
The 5K split trick
Instead of tracking every mile or kilometre, Fischer suggests setting your watch to record splits every 5K. That gives you just eight checkpoints over the full marathon, which is enough feedback to stay on pace, but not so much that your eyes are glued to your wrist.
The idea is to think in bigger chunks of effort rather than micromanaging each split. Hills, wind or even crowds can throw off a single mile time, but over 5K, things even out. You run smoother, stay steadier and worry less about tiny ups and downs. “It’s a big mental jump,” says Fischer. “You’re able to focus on the right effort and the right pace, without worrying about the volatility of a hilly mile.”
Why it works
According to Fischer, this method helps simplify what he calls the “mental digestion” of a marathon. Checking your watch every mile can make the race feel endless, and every small slowdown feel like a crisis. By switching to 5K splits, you zoom out. You’re still aware of pace, but not obsessing over every hill or headwind.
It’s the running version of turning down background noise. You settle in, find rhythm and let the miles roll by without getting lost in the details. Fischer’s approach keeps your effort steady and your head calm—the ideal race-day combo.
Make it your own
The 5K-split approach works for every runner, no matter what you’re aiming for. You can check your watch at aid stations and then let it go, allowing your legs to find their own rhythm. It also opens up room to soak in the race, allowing you to pay attention to the cheering crowds, funny signs and the buzz of thousands of runners around you. Keeping the pacing simple makes the miles feel smoother and keeps your head in the right place instead of stuck on every split.
