🎯 Objective
To complete the Dragon’s Eye trail marathon with strong pacing, negative splits, and a confident finish—demonstrating Mathew’s growing endurance and race-day maturity.
🏃 Athlete Profile – Mathew Whitaker
- Race: Dragon’s Eye Endurance Race
- Location: Waverley, England
- Date: Sunday, 14 September 2025
- Distance: 42.20 km
- Moving Time: 3:48:00
- Elapsed Time: 3:51:36
- Average Pace: 5:24/km
- Elevation Gain: 253 m
- Calories Burned: 3,134 kcal
- Conditions: Cool and cloudy
- Device: Garmin Forerunner 245
- Shoes: Not recorded
- Top Results:
- Marathon – 3:51:28
- 30K – 2:43:25
- Half-Marathon – 1:48:58
- 20K – 1:43:26
📊 Pacing Breakdown – Mathew Whitaker
KM 1–10 (Settling In) Average Pace: ~5:35/km Notes: Mathew opened with control, adjusting to terrain and elevation. Early pacing showed patience and aerobic efficiency.
KM 11–21 (Mid-Race Rhythm) Average Pace: ~5:20/km Notes: Found a strong rhythm, with splits between 5:12–5:25/km. KM 16 (5:12/km) and KM 18 (5:15/km) reflected smooth effort and fueling balance.
KM 22–32 (Acceleration Phase) Average Pace: ~5:05/km Notes: Mathew surged with confidence—KM 21–24 all under 5:12/km, including a standout 4:56/km in KM 21. This section showed strength and mental focus.
KM 33–42 (Final Push) Average Pace: ~5:00/km Notes: Closed with negative splits—KM 32–42 included multiple sub-5:00/km efforts (KM 32: 4:52/km, KM 36–37: 4:57/km, 4:55/km). A powerful finish that capped a well-executed race.
❤️ Heart Rate & Effort
Estimated HR Zone: Aerobic threshold to tempo Insight: Mathew maintained a strong aerobic base with controlled surges. His cadence (159 spm) and average HR (170 bpm) suggest efficient form and sustainable effort.
💡 Key Insights
- Negative Split Execution: Mathew’s final 10K was his fastest—evidence of smart pacing and strong reserves.
- Terrain Adaptation: Despite elevation shifts, he maintained form and rhythm, especially in the second half.
- Effort Awareness: His pacing reflects intuitive regulation—surging when ready, holding back when needed.
- Race-Day Confidence: The final 5K showed not just fitness, but belief—he knew he could finish fast and did.
🧩 Coaching Applications
- Matthew’s splits teaches negative split strategy and effort-based pacing
- Reinforces the value of mid-race patience and late-race surges
- Models how trail marathons benefit from terrain awareness and cadence control
- Celebrates strong finishes
- Encourages athletes to trust their pacing plan and finish with intent