🎯 Objective
To complete his first official half marathon, the Reigate Half Marathon with consistent pacing, elevation control, and a confident finish—setting a strong benchmark for future sub-1:40 goals.
🏃 Athlete Profile – Matthew Tyrrell
- Race: Run Reigate Half Marathon
- Location: Reigate and Banstead, England
- Date: Sunday, 21 September 2025
- Distance: 21.19 km
- Moving Time: 1:46:43
- Average Pace: 5:02/km
- Elevation Gain: 214 m
- Conditions: Partly cloudy, 51°F, 80% humidity, NNW wind at 11.9 km/h
- Device: Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Shoes: Topo Athletic Aura
- Top Results:
- Half-Marathon – 1:45:47
- 20K – 1:40:08
- 10 mile – 1:20:48
- 15K – 1:15:21
- Notable Achievement: First half marathon completed with strong pacing and finish-line surge
📊 Pacing Breakdown – Matthew Tyrrell
KM 1–5 (Settling In) Average Pace: ~5:03/km Notes: Matthew opened with control—KM 2–3 surged to 4:40/km and 4:47/km, showing early confidence and terrain adaptation.
KM 6–10 (Mid-Race Rhythm) Average Pace: ~5:05/km Notes: KM 6–9 held steady (4:58–5:05/km). KM 10 slowed slightly (5:38/km) due to a 27 m climb, but effort remained consistent.
KM 11–16 (Reset & Build) Average Pace: ~5:00/km Notes: KM 11–13 rebounded with splits under 5:03/km. KM 16 (5:09/km) showed pacing control before the final surge.
KM 17–21.19 (Final Push) Average Pace: ~4:50/km Notes: KM 17–18 surged to 4:49/km and 4:39/km. KM 21 closed with a powerful 4:30/km split—his fastest of the day.
❤️ Heart Rate & Effort
Estimated HR Zone: Tempo Insight: Average HR of 155 bpm and cadence of 166 spm suggest efficient form and sustained effort. Matthew managed effort well across all segments and finished strong.
💡 Key Insights
- First Half Breakthrough: This race marked Matthew’s debut half marathon—executed with maturity and pacing awareness.
- Finish-Line Surge: His final 5K was his fastest, showing excellent effort regulation and mental strength.
- Elevation Control: Managed rolling terrain with minimal impact on pacing, especially in KM 10 and KM 20.
- Goal Clarity: His post-race reflection (“sub-1:40 next year 💪🏻”) shows confidence and clear intent for progression.
🧩 Coaching Applications
- Matthew’s splits to teach first-race pacing and finish-line surges
- Reinforces the value of terrain awareness and mental resets
- Models how debut efforts benefit from strategic restraint and emotional pacing
- Celebrates first half milestones
- Encourages athletes to reflect on what “first ever” means—and how it sets the tone for future goals