I'm sick of the first 800 sprint. People going out in 2:30 who wont break 19. This leads to so much blocking of the course and passing and the worst part is people are rude when you pass them they dont let you. Like wtf. Just start out slow if youre gonna run the race slow.
XCrunnerrr wrote:
I'm sick of the first 800 sprint. People going out in 2:30 who wont break 19. This leads to so much blocking of the course and passing and the worst part is people are rude when you pass them they dont let you. Like wtf. Just start out slow if youre gonna run the race slow.
The best guys still win or place highly.
Then don't go out fast. I never sprint off the line. The first mile I do get kinda trapped in the back because of this, but it forces me to stay slow. My first mile is always about 20-30 seconds slower then my second and I win races this way. I'm better the 2 mile/mile so use it to my advantage to start slow then race the last two miles.
It is definitely annoying if you don't have a ton of speed and are trying to do the most reasonable approach of getting the fastest to the finish line. However, in most 5k courses, you are just not going to be able to optimize your results if you adopt that strategy. You have got to get off the line fast in order to be in position to contend. You usually will not be able to pass for significant stretches of the course, especially the first mile, and you will also be 'paced' by slower people as you try to reach the front during the race. Get out hard the first 6-10 seconds with your ATP burst and then settle in at a somewhat slower but still quick pace and train to do this. One option I heard recently was to do mile repeats with a fast first lap (close to mile pace) and then slow immediately at the beginning of the second lap and continue at that slower pace (say, 5k pace).
Thanks for the response. I agree, i keep going out at a 5:30 pace which is my goal race pace but falling off bc i have to work to pass ppl and you cant get in any groove with people bc they are alll slowing down
Just shove people out of the way.
The worst part to me is being around a bunch of wheeze'n groaners...go hyperventilate somewhere else, or atleast wait until the last mile
I agree its so dumb. Why cant they gives us more space to run? I was dead last in the freshman race today at the first 200m then passed over 320 people through the race, what sucks is I got blocked off so many times that i kept going off course by about 10 meters every turn. Which caused me to run about 180more meters watch registered at 3.22. I just wish they could give us more space because i ran 30-32sec slower than what i would have if these kids werent so dumb. Infact one of my friends who run 20:33 went out the first 400 @1:14. JESUS CHRIST.
I totally can relate to this. I remember qualifying for States as a junior and getting boxed in the entire race. I was accustomed to small meets where I could run even or negative split and still be near the front. My coach didn't warn me at States and I was near the back and had to go around runners the entire time. I still PR'd but felt like I didn't even get to run my own race. I always regretted how that race played out b/c it ended up being my high school PR.
Omg, lmao upload on youtube bro. I found ur channel when i was searching for XC tips lol ive been hooked since
XCrunnerrr wrote:
I'm sick of the first 800 sprint. People going out in 2:30 who wont break 19. This leads to so much blocking of the course and passing and the worst part is people are rude when you pass them they dont let you. Like wtf. Just start out slow if youre gonna run the race slow.
Have you tried writing your local congressman?
Cicirunner wrote:
I totally can relate to this. I remember qualifying for States as a junior and getting boxed in the entire race. I was accustomed to small meets where I could run even or negative split and still be near the front. My coach didn't warn me at States and I was near the back and had to go around runners the entire time. I still PR'd but felt like I didn't even get to run my own race. I always regretted how that race played out b/c it ended up being my high school PR.
How did you go around runners if you were boxed the ENTIRE time?
What really happened is all those kids you passed started too fast and ran a lot worse than you did.
Comin from a decently fast high schooler (16:11 5k) I hate screwing around with others so I typically go out in 2:12-2:18 first 800. I don't live in a very competitive county, as I am the best by quite a bit though so I really don't get boxed in anyways
Cicirunner wrote:
I totally can relate to this. I remember qualifying for States as a junior and getting boxed in the entire race. I was accustomed to small meets where I could run even or negative split and still be near the front. My coach didn't warn me at States and I was near the back and had to go around runners the entire time. I still PR'd but felt like I didn't even get to run my own race. I always regretted how that race played out b/c it ended up being my high school PR.
god damn run the damn race. XC is not about getting into a rhythm. XC is not about running for time. XC is about RACING.
WTch the World XC Champs buddy. It's a full on sprint at the start.
That's what people call RACING
I am really tired of bears pooping in the woods. Somebody should really do something about it.
XCrunnerrr wrote:
I'm sick of the first 800 sprint. People going out in 2:30 who wont break 19. This leads to so much blocking of the course and passing and the worst part is people are rude when you pass them they dont let you. Like wtf. Just start out slow if youre gonna run the race slow.
Are you throwing up a lot? Have a fever? I hope you can recover soon from your sickness.
XCrunnerrr wrote:
I'm sick of the first 800 sprint. People going out in 2:30 who wont break 19. This leads to so much blocking of the course and passing and the worst part is people are rude when you pass them they dont let you. Like wtf. Just start out slow if youre gonna run the race slow.
Just run your own race and pace. Learn to time your positioning so passing will be easier and be patient. People will let you go when they realize you are stronger. Let them wear themselves out trying to keep ahead of you in the meantime. You wouldn't be losing much if anything from your time, and the competition will help you to run faster. Look to multiple world cross country champions Carlos Lopes and John Ngugi for inspiration to run your own pace. Both of them started in last place, and gradually moved up through their races.
This is a more progressive way to run, and you will get used to it as you keep doing it more and your overall pace keeps getting faster.