pack question wrote:
Coaches say this all the time, but if the top-5 has like a 3:00 min split, this is a stupid strategy, right? To "run as a pack" the #5 would be gassed in the first mile and the my 1 and 2 would have to slow down so much to split the difference they wouldn't even be racing. Seems like "every man for himself" is the only strategy that would work.
I've got a championship coming up next week and am looking for ideas. Serious replies only.
Know your fitness and play your strengths - and have a good sense of these for your competitors.
I am guessing you're running 1500m.
If the pack is too slow, keep them honest and surge - most likely someone will follow. If you're a contender, provided you're not pacing suicidaly, sorting the wheat from the chaff benefits you.
There's mental and modest wind resistance benefit being in the pack... and risk... if you're a kicker and the race pace is your pace, I'd hang off the frontrunner's right shoulder and go hard a bit before others do. A lot of folks go ballistic on the bend, you can catch'em napping if you go a before - provided you can hold it without acidosis.
There is reaction time advantage being first to go hard for home - can be the difference between podium and also-ran.
As a kicker... and in many races, I regretted not kicking sooner. Usually felt I finished with too much in the tank. Collapsing immediately on the infield is a good sign.