What team tactics are possible for Hansons?

Nobody expects The Flying Vee!

I think the thought is that Sell's best chance is if its a quick pace (say 4:55 per mile) so the race becomes a strength runners race on the tough course. His 160 mile weeks and mental toughness give him his best chance in this type of race. Generally most people see his lack of fast 5k or 10k times as an indicator that in a slower race, were they don't start really racing until 20-22 miles, that Sell would be at a big disadvantage against Ritz, Meb, Abdi, Hall and others.

At the same time its very hard to lead a marathon from start to finish by yourself, pushing the pace.

So the tought is that a couple of the Hanson's team members might (and I stress might) sacrifice their race and do the pace setting for the first 10-15 miles ensuring the race is at a fast pace but allowing Sell not to have to do the leading early on.

If this occures the pace would likely be kept at 4:55 to 5:00 per mile, which is quick enough to set-up the ideal race for Sell but probably slow enough that most of the favorites feel a need to stay with them (i.e Sell specifically).

Thats my read.

Why is the talk always about Sell when the Hansons comes up... No one seems to remember that Trent Briney was fourth at Oly Trials in '04 and Clint Verran was 5th

Does 5k/10k speed really determine your finishing speed in a marathon? It's not like you'll need to finish your marathon at 4 flat pace. From what I've seen it seems like guts are the limiting factor in a marathon "kick."

I think it's unfair to call the fairly large group of runners Hansons has around 2:15.00 "2:20 guy[s]."

If by "guts" you mean endurance than yes.

And if by "endurance" you mean saving glycogen and improved thermoregulation at the end of a marathon than yes.

Alan

As was mentioned on the thread about the weather, it appears now the "flying V" IS the best team tactic available to Hansons, at least into the wind. The "gutterball" is preferable in the crosswinds.

As former Cornell All-American Andy Bernard recently noted: "It's all about drafting."

The Pinkerton Detective Agency wrote:

As was mentioned on the thread about the weather, it appears now the "flying V" IS the best team tactic available to Hansons, at least into the wind. The "gutterball" is preferable in the crosswinds.

As former Cornell All-American Andy Bernard recently noted: "It's all about drafting."

I concur, the wind makes for an it possible for the Hanson's to make there own group with the lesser guys sacrificing in the first 10-15 miles to keep the others out of the wind. However, they will have to think about how they will run when others tail along. It gets easier when it is a crosswind because they can run on the edge of the road. However, doing so also puts them in the position on the road that gets the most wind. For instance assume that the wind is coming from the right. You echelon at an angle so that they last of your runners is on the left edge of the road. However, if there are trees providing some shelter that wind break will be greatest on the right side of the road.