Is the top runner always at a disadvantage if he/she is running alone? Would they run faster with people?
Is the top runner always at a disadvantage if he/she is running alone? Would they run faster with people?
Affect...
Possibly, probably being pushed leads to a faster time.
Maybe in XC always trying to get a faster time might not be the best goal in the long run (pardon the pun). Save something and allow for faster recovery for bigger races?
For some people it's huge, others it doesn't matter that much. My first meet of the season me and another kid stuck together at the front of the race and dragged each other to 16:48 for both of us which were huge PRs for both of us. Yesterday I ran a 16:08 with nothing around except the pacing golf cart through 2.5ish miles. Definitely could have gone faster if someone was there to compete with.
But then you have others who are time trial gods and can keep a mechanical pace with or without competition.
Is a runner at a disadvantage if running alone? No. That is the biggest advantage he could have. Let's say top runner A wins all of his races throughout the year. He shows up at conference and is 200 meters ahead at the mile. That is a huge advantage. He then shows up at state and finds himself in 50th place at the mile. He is at a disadvantage then because there are 49 faster runners.
ad·van·tage
/ədˈvan(t)ij/
a condition or circumstance that puts one in a favorable or superior position.
0/10
Is the top runner always at a disadvantage if he/she is running alone? No. A huge advantage.
Would they run faster with people? Possibly.
0/10? Incorrect. 10/10 for answering the questions of someone who does not know the definition of "effect" or "advantage".
-1/10
RIP: D3 All-American Frank Csorba - who ran 13:56 in March - dead
RENATO can you talk about the preparation of Emile Cairess 2:06
Running for Bowerman Track Club used to be cool now its embarrassing
Hats off to my dad. He just ran a 1:42 Half Marathon and turns 75 in 2 months!
Great interview with Steve Cram - says Jakob has no chance of WRs this year
Rest in Peace Adrian Lehmann - 2:11 Swiss marathoner. Dies of heart attack.