Friday, March 12, 2010

Getting Technical

Today's question: How do I read an elevation chart?
I am looking at running the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville this April.  This will be my FIRST half marathon ever. And since, I will be losing my half marathon-virginity, I need all the information I can get to prep myself. You know - much like a first date, what to do, what to wear, what to say etc.

This is the elevation chart I found on their Web site. I think this year's course is a new course. Looks pretty much flat to me. But what do I know?
Here's another elevation chart for another race I am considering doing - the RnR Las Vegas (half).

Well, this one looks like it will kill me. My legs just went all tofu on me just looking at the elevation right there.

So, the question, how do I read an elevation map? What does the information on the axis mean? What should I take note of?

Thanks in advance for your help.


1 comment:

  1. Pretty much you look at it as if it's a side view of the course. So, yes, the Nashville course looks pretty flat (that's good!). The Vegas chart looks pretty steep, but remember that that is over 13.1 miles.

    You can do it!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for reading! Do leave me a comment or two. They keep me motivated.