Is there a time advantage for middle distance (800m and mile) or distance (3000m and 5000m) to running on one vs. another? Seattle and Notre Dame have been producing some really fast times lately, but so have BU and Arkansas.
I'm trying to put together a fast indoor season and I've been pondering this question.
Ceteris paribus, an oversized track will be a bit faster, but if you can get better competition/ pacing on a 200m one then you could well end up running a faster time.
There is a definite advantage to the oversized track, due to fewer and wider turns. The Boston U track is unique in that it is build on wood, unlike Mondo indoor tracks, which have a steel support system. This gives the track a much truer "bounce" and push forward than the more solid steel support track. The Boston U track also has unique banks, getting to the peak level early in the turn and coming out of the turn earlier to take off some of the stress of running the tighter turn and run less of a distance up hill. That being said, unless there are good people at the race site, good times will come less frequently on the 200 meter banked tracks compared to the 300 meter flat floor tracks (contrary to the indexing that has never been correct). The Terrier Classic used to draw outstanding competition 15 to 20 years ago at the old BU track and there were excellent times generated despite the high banked track. Today there is so much competition around the country from other 200 meter banked tracks and 300 meter flat tracks, causing a thinning out of quality.
So, the best thing would be to check with race directors as the meets come up to see who is going where. Or you can be an independent kind of guy and run 3:50 for the mile on your own on the Boston U track. It would make everyone very happy up in Boston, that is for sure.
I think you are thinking of the OLD BU track which was on boards, the new one is similar to other banked tracks like that at the armory.
Who the f*** cares about indoor track in early September. Still track season with XC approaching, you mother f***ing idiot!
Adequate Will Hunting wrote:
I think you are thinking of the OLD BU track which was on boards, the new one is similar to other banked tracks like that at the armory.
No, my description is for the new one, which is all wood with a full pour Recortan surface 10mm thick. The steel supported banked tracks all have a Mondo surface, good for racing, not so good for training and don't have the "bounce" quite as good as the BU track. The old BU track was also all wood, but only 4 lanes and higher banks.
I'm pretty sure Pete knows exactly what he's talking about. After all, he pretty much designed it :)
MK wrote:
I'm pretty sure Pete knows exactly what he's talking about. After all, he pretty much designed it :)
How soon we forget! :)
Pete Schuder wrote:
Or you can be an independent kind of guy and run 3:50 for the mile on your own on the Boston U track. It would make everyone very happy up in Boston, that is for sure.
We were happy indeed.