Sports
Chasing a PR vs. a Podium: Ju Markan's Strategy
The runner breaks down how preparation, tactics, and mindset shift when racing the clock versus racing the field.
Ju Markan details the practical difference between targeting a personal record and fighting for a podium spot. In an interview with Girls Who Run, she shares the tactical behind-the-scenes of races like Porto Alegre and Maceió.
In road running, the finish line takes on different meanings depending on the goal set before the gun goes off. Racing against the clock to set a personal record (PR) requires a mental and physical approach completely different from lining up with the aim of stepping onto the podium and racing competitors directly.
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The difference between racing the clock and racing competitors
For Ju Markan, who entered the running world less than two years ago, understanding this distinction was a crucial step in her tactical development under coach Fábio Bessa. When the focus is a PR, the race is individual: pacing is calculated internally and does not rely on moves made around you. In a battle for the podium, however, reading the race and managing recovery down to the finest details become decisive.
This strategic difference even affects the training routine during race week. When preparing for placement-focused races, tapering strength training and preventing heavy legs in the final days is essential to preserve responsiveness during mid-race surges and attacks against competitors.
From ranking analysis to a planned podium
This competitive mindset started taking shape purposefully in selected events. Invited to race the Mizuno Atenas, for instance, Ju analyzed past ranking results to see where she had realistic podium potential, ultimately choosing the 18 km distance to challenge for the top spots.
On the asphalt, however, both goals can sometimes merge. At the Porto Alegre Marathon, the original plan was purely focused on setting a PR. Running through heavy rain, Ju found herself pacing shoulder to shoulder with her role model, Vitória Gomes, maintaining a strong pace from start to finish to take second place overall while lowering her personal best.
Mental toughness and facing adversity in Maceió
At a recent race in Maceió, the pre-race goal was outright victory. Despite adverse conditions—just three and a half hours of sleep the night before, heavy legs, intense heat, and a harsh headwind along the coastal return stretch—strategy and mental resilience prevailed, earning her first place overall.
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