runners who always have to be one step ahead

I'm in HS, and last year we had a kid who was a "Jr. high stud" join the team. He did this. All you have to do, pick the pace up slowly and steadily, make sure you drop them with over a mile to go. It'll humble them good. As to the why: I used to do it as a frosh and soph because I couldn't beat those kids in races, so practice was my time to show my worth. Thats my best way to explain it, but even if it sounds justified, it's a bad thing that must be taken care of. Have fun!

It sounds like Dan Nelson has a son. Nelson, NCAA champion in the steeplechase back in the 80s, had to run 10 meters ahead of the pack no matter what. He'd run exactly the same pace as the pack, but always with that 10m cushion. Furthermore, he's rubberneck the entire way making sure that he maintained that lead.

None of these guys are as bad as a teammate I had who on moderately paced runs would somehow manage to clip my heels constantly.

It must be some insecurity thing going on. I know 2 runners who do that. Yesterday I was with one of them and he's so much slower than me but every time he'll start to push ahead. Then I get next to him he tries to go faster to keep that lead. Then I just glide by a bit and he slows way down. Then I'll wait for him and he'll start doing it again. I really don't understand what is up with these people. I don't like running with them at all. All I can figure is they get beat so bad by you in races that if they can run ahead of you in training they can feel just as fast as your race times?

Why do you let it bother you so much? It always makes me feel like I'm running easier when someone is a little ahead of me.

It's definitely an insecurity issue with these people. Let them run in the front during training, avoid them if you can, then out-kick their asses when you race them.

It's an insecurity issue for both the people who do this AND for the people who care.

This one guy on my team is a one-step-ahead-er AND has B.O... talk about a bad combination.

i agree with the above poster, its an insecurity issue for both people.. the better person doesnt want the other person running in front of them because it makes them feel like people watching might think that that shit person running in front of them is good and they are actually the shit one.

If you are a member of a team and these are regular training runs it defeats the purpose of running in a group if you aren't going to run with the group, I don't think its an insecurity problem for the annoyed people. Personally I just think its anti-social and that is one of the best parts about running with my team. I know a guy like that and when he runs 15 meters ahead of the group I would much rather see him just go run by himself. Of course I may missing the point, maybe the other 10 guys are just bad company and not worth running among.

have you ever thought that you are just one of those runners who always has to be one step behind? maybe you are the problem. have you ever watched Dr. Phil?

Hmmm, I was told many times that I am half-stepping my training partners- be it regular/easy runs, or tempo/intervals/hills. I had never noticed and felt like I was running even with them. In my instance it's not insecurity, I just have a wolf pack instinct. As long as I don't encounter a similar person and we end up subliminaly speeding up, I have no problem going towards the back of the pack, if someone tells me, I am bothering him, or pushing the pace too much.

But I think it's a personality issue- if I am not feeling shitty, i like to lead at races and pushing the pace as well. Since I am not tall, I don't fare well in scrumages and tightly bunched packs. It's good to see where you are stepping. If it bothers you, either tell the other person, or run by yourself- it's so simple.