Race Tactics for High School Milers (and Runners in General)

Apparently the only lrc approved tactic is sit and kick. All other strategies tend to get ripped apart here.

For most high schoolers in most races even split (or close to it) is the best strategy though. Often times are more important than places until you are in the final meets of the year anyway. Where this breaks down is when place is the only thing that matters and most of the field has near identical ability.

Going out fast is really only an option if you are the best or closest to the best in the race. It can be pretty effective at locking up the win if you are just better than everyone.

Surging mid race again only really works if you are one of the best in the field. Can be effective to lose some that are already at their limit and might have a better kick than you.

Indian run is not a good race strategy.

If you know who Stember is you are NOT a high school kid in the current year.

Sorry "kid"... you just outed yourself.

Huh? I found out about him on this viral video:

https://youtu.be/pNSWTwB-_bk

I've seen this video too. Also a high schooler.

two croutons and a salad bowl wrote:

Apparently the only lrc approved tactic is sit and kick. All other strategies tend to get ripped apart here.

very true. running fast times are frowned upon as well.

you must win, but in the slowest possible time to be an lrc approved Real Racer (tm)

None of these will get you the fastest possible time.

You're a liar. See tactic #4 which is used by many to PR.

Running is very mental. There is the "Sit and Hang" tactic that can get you a PR, but I didn't list that because you have to do more than "hang" to win.

These are just tactics on how to win races. Unless you are the best, which is only 1% of us, running even splits for "the fastest time possible" won't win you the race.

What about:

Do Something Stupid

[specifics vary, but something like, sit 40m behind the field, you know, just cause]

Eyes Wide Shut

[ignore any move from the field]

Respond To Every Move

[anyone that goes, go with them]

etc

they are all similar to the first though

I always thought there's really only one strategy:

put yourself in a position to podium [PYIAPTP]

which usually requires a variety of strategies to execute, and often multiple in the same race

Have We Done This Before wrote:

Respond To Every Move

[anyone that goes, go with them]

etc

they are all similar to the first though

I always thought there's really only one strategy:

put yourself in a position to podium [PYIAPTP]

which usually requires a variety of strategies to execute, and often multiple in the same race

Yesss. Might have to try that first one for sure!!

Sham 69 wrote:

These are just tactics on how to win races. Unless you are the best, which is only 1% of us, running even splits for "the fastest time possible" won't win you the race.

In high school, if you’re not the best, then you’re not going to win the race anyway 🤷🏽‍♂️

Sitting on a 4:30 miler when you’re a 4:50 miler is just going to net you last place with a 75+ close.

Run a smart race, get down to 4:45, and keep grinding.

Is it good to know other strategies? Sure.

I taught my 4:30 miler how to sit on 4:50 milers at conference so they could conserve energy for later events.

In a closet contested race, I taught my miler to sit behind others runners and block the wind.

When they want a PR, we discuss that strategy too (mostly even - depending on the event).

I like to put a 400m guy in the race and have him go out in 53 and step off at his leisure. Freaks out the field (except my other guys) who just run Indian for 2 laps then SPRINT on lap 3.