Are coaches embarrassed when kids go out way too hard in races?

my senior year at Regionals I was entered in an 800 that I had no shot at winning. I had already qualified for state in the 1600 and 3200 by that point, so just decided to have fun with the last race. as a guy with no true leg speed, I went out in 27, 59, and closed in 70. I led for about 300m before dropping many places. my coach told me after the race that when he saw me sprint to the front, he started audibly laughing. I had fun too so it was cool

I think kids need to find their way in the beginning. You can tell them to run a 35, 32, 38...whatever, but until they go into some races and figure out their limits to an extent, it is difficult to understand what those numbers mean.

Let them race. keep their splits. Talk to them about it after. With new runners, I typically give the advice to stay with a pack for this many laps or that many laps, and see what your body is telling you at that point. But I don't get upset with a green kid taking the line and going for it. It is expected that something will be learned though.

not 800 man wrote:

my senior year at Regionals I was entered in an 800 that I had no shot at winning. I had already qualified for state in the 1600 and 3200 by that point, so just decided to have fun with the last race. as a guy with no true leg speed, I went out in 27, 59, and closed in 70. I led for about 300m before dropping many places. my coach told me after the race that when he saw me sprint to the front, he started audibly laughing. I had fun too so it was cool

you had nothing to lose. this is real life and it is PERFECT!

I catch up with my athlete after they have recovered and ask, "So, that happened. I bet that last couple of laps really hurt? What could you have done better?". They know what happened, get a little embarrassed, and then start running smarter. I have only had a few charges that were too bull headed to learn the lesson.

Kids, no. I’m more embarrassed by morons at 5Ks who run the first quarter in 64 and die. There used to be some idiot in my area who ran with knee high socks and chopat straps who would do this and finish in 19-20 min.

I like what the other coaches are saying here. Racing is meant to be experienced, not over thought.

For the kids I help coach, if any of them goes "hard" at any point in a race I would be ecstatic.

Unless a runner does not finish a race, let young runners figure it out. Eg. If a 12 or 13 year old 5:20 1600m runner goes out 68.xx or 69.xx first 400m, a coach should not limit a youngster and say: Race 80, 80, 80, 78. The kid going out in 68.xx or 69.xx will eventually race sub-5 1600m.

1st race of my life I just took off full speed (880) ran 54 1st 400, 80 2nd lap. Coach put me on the anchor leg of mile relay, ran a 48.6 split later that year.

I try to get my guys to go out faster but they just don't. They all come from the distance side so I guess it just feels too fast regardless of how many 58 second repeats they do.

If you know your female 10th grader is a 2:35 800 runner, running the first 200 in 30 sec is definitely a "what the bleep is she doing" moment. But like many have said here, it's a teachable moment and something they won't likely repeat.

About 15 years ago I had a new 9th grader who I suspected had some mid-distance talent based on practice and in the first meet he ran the first 400 in 62. WAY TOO FAST. But he actually just kept on running. No change in cadence. He did not slow down. He came through in 2:05, He ended up running sub 2:00 that season and he ended up a double-state champion in the 800 and had a PR of 1:51, which he got as junior (he was injured throughout his senior year).

Sometimes, going out too hard works out for the best.

These are interesting responses. I would expect coaches to try to go for a more even pace, or a sit and kick strategy.

flyingfrog wrote:

1st race of my life I just took off full speed (880) ran 54 1st 400, 80 2nd lap. Coach put me on the anchor leg of mile relay, ran a 48.6 split later that year.

Wow, you must have been a f*cking stud.

Unless a gal or guy does not finish ... wrote:

Unless a runner does not finish a race, let young runners figure it out. Eg. If a 12 or 13 year old 5:20 1600m runner goes out 68.xx or 69.xx first 400m, a coach should not limit a youngster and say: Race 80, 80, 80, 78. The kid going out in 68.xx or 69.xx will eventually race sub-5 1600m.

This is interesting. I would suggest 80s with a strong last lap. Then move the goal post faster, and repeat.

Yes

If it's an official meet? Kind of annoyed but understanding. In practice and early meets I have *on occasio n* encouraged fit and promising runners to "step out with the big dogs" for the experience. And a couple times gotten wins and places.

I'm a high school runner so a different perspective here but I think there are two scenarios. The one where a kid just goes out fast and dies can be frustrating because they can mess you up and you think they're a bit of an idiot. The second scenario is when it's intentional or just a natural burst at the start of a race and the kid can back it up. I love it because it's racing and going out hard shakes the race up and one can dictate the race through it. My freshman year the fields were huge (~20) I would be in which were all around the 4:40 level or a bit faster would go out in 65 and it would stretch the race out and make room upfront. I learned how to race a much more gutsy race through this and I think my racing is genuinely better because of those experiences.

Had a kid one year who was one of if not the best in our section in the 800 to 3200m. At a night invite we were planning to run fast in the 3200, but.......his over ambitious, Steve Prefontaine obsessed father who would mingle a tad to often was a bit to fired up and told him to run until he dies. Well....he chose to listen to his Dad over me and went out in :57. :26 at the 200. Yes...very embarrassing. Then his Dad proceeds to yell and scream at me in the stands, "What the F&*K happened?". He didn't get it that his 17 year old son went out in 3:48 mile pace.

No, because I had done the same thing occasionally.

I like an athlete with confidence and attitude. I try to rope them back in the next race BUT will never extinguish the attitude because eventually they will go out too hard and hold it.