Opposite of a lot of runners: I race a lot better than I run at practice. What gives?

May be a headcase. Sometimes I run crappy workouts the week leading up to a race, but it's all in my head, I do well on the day of the race.

In general, I'm in the same situation as you (in that I train intelligently) and have trouble finding people to train with. The best training partners for me are either guys my speed who like to take it easy, or they're significantly slower and race me in the workouts, which is fine. :)

I'm the same way, I don't think it's that uncommon. It's amazing how hard race pace feels during the middle of a heavy training week when you're wearing trainers and running solo.

I had the same thing happen to me this weekend. I PR'ed by over a minute in a 10K (legit course) and ran at 5:38 pace. I NEVER touch that pace in training, the closest that I get to that is around 5:45-ish on the end of a tempo run. I do run faster track stuff, but again I really just around faster or slower than that pace, but never at it. I was surprised... but perhaps that's how the training works(?).

Wow me too... when I do 10x400 hard in practice it is closer to my 2 mile pace...

You just have to know which type of runner you are. As long as you're not racing your workouts on one end or being really lazy in your workouts on the other end, you can then find the right paces and workouts to do. So for a person who can run pretty fast in workouts, a good peak training type of 5k workout might be 4x1600 @ 5k pace w/ 400 recovery. For someone who sucks at workouts, the best you can do might be 6-7x800 or 5x1k @ 5k pace w/ 400 rec. I think this is one of the biggest ways coaches can screw up: if you don't pay attention to each athlete's ability to perform in workouts, you'll have some people going way too hard and others going way too easy, even though they are at similar ability levels race wise.

yup. i'm the exact opposite. I can hang with people in workouts that i can't even touch in races. I don't feel like i'm working any harder than them at the time, but guess i must be. Feel blessed, i guess.

I'm this way with standardized tests. For some people, it just takes the pressure to give them that extra edge.

Weekend Hero

I was the same man...be glad.

My workouts were never bad but I always stepped up my game on race day.

I had a guy on my team who would be a stud in workouts - like 4:0- type mile workouts - and he sucked in races, like high 4 teens.

Something about the pressure and the rush of hormones that works for some and not for others.

uhhhhhh wrote:

When doing the standard 10x400 workouts @ mile pace, 5x800 @ 2 mile pace etc. I am running these pretty hard but the pace is way off of what I can race in a mile or 2 mile. And it feels like I'm running at least 90%! Opposite of most people who practice way better than they race, I seem to race a lot better than I practice! What gives?

In most endeavors, running included, most people will get it wrong and a few will get it right.

You're one of the few. Bravo!

uhhhhhh wrote:

When doing the standard 10x400 workouts @ mile pace, 5x800 @ 2 mile pace etc. I am running these pretty hard but the pace is way off of what I can race in a mile or 2 mile. And it feels like I'm running at least 90%! Opposite of most people who practice way better than they race, I seem to race a lot better than I practice! What gives?

Well,isn't that the way it is supposed to be?

We train and build up to race and perhaps you have managed to balance your training regime just right for you,if so well done.

But I am not so sure of the truth of your statement "most people who practice way better than they race".I think that most serious runners perform better in a race situation,their differential may just not be as big as yours.

I am the same way. I think it comes down to hating training and loving racing. I love to race, but despise track workouts. Guys would kill me in workouts, but i could always out race them.

I remember one trail race I did. The week before I went to run the course and had to stop and walk. I got dropped from the group. The next week I won the race and set a course record. The other guys weren't within 5 minutes of me.

Two finer points to be considered here are:

1. Taper/rest before race

2. Pre-race warm up.

in addition to all the workouts.

Sounds like you're doing everything right.

But pre-race warmup is pretty much the same as workout warmup. Just some jogging, few strides etc.

I honestly cannot do the 10x400 at mile pace... it is more like 10x400 at 2 mile pace for me and that's hard! Weird..

OP, this is a good thing. Be thankful.

same here... wrote:

But pre-race warmup is pretty much the same as workout warmup. Just some jogging, few strides etc.

I honestly cannot do the 10x400 at mile pace... it is more like 10x400 at 2 mile pace for me and that's hard! Weird..

That is because your endurance is lacking, but your speed is good. Racing one mile at a given pace and then trying to replicate that pace in a 10x400 workout taxes some of the same systems, but others as well.

bodybuilder now wrote:

I was the same man...be glad.

My workouts were never bad but I always stepped up my game on race day.

I had a guy on my team who would be a stud in workouts - like 4:0- type mile workouts - and he sucked in races, like high 4 teens.

Something about the pressure and the rush of hormones that works for some and not for others.

Next time have some lotion in your bag.

I am so far on the other side of the spectrum I can barely see you... but I hate you from afar ;-)

I'm the same way.

Look at it as a blessing. It help me realize I don't need to absolutely kill myself or kick ass in workouts to race well (which makes since, cuz that's all they are is workouts). really take the pressure & stress out of training.

pardon my poor grammar.