Teammates who have to lead every single run

College Running D1

13 years ago 10/12/2010 8:39pm EDT

I'm in my third season as a member of a pretty good Division I Cross Country team and all three years I have noticed that there is always two or three guys that have to be in the front on every single run, whether it is a tempo run, intervals, recovery, a warm up or a cool down. This year we have three runners that literally have to be in the front of every single run (even warm up and cool down runs) and will do anything to get to the front meaning cutting off people, going through a mass of teammates to shoot to the front, and they are even willing to run through thick bushes in order to get around a single file trail run to be in front. Now, this is incredibly annoying because these runners, while pretty fast, aren't the fastest runners on the team and they consistently trip the other guys up from behind when trying to pass.

My question is why do these guys always have to be up front while they could easily just sit back and be about arms distance from the "run leaders"? Is it an ego or insecurity issue? Does anyone else have this problem or is it specific to my team?

13 years ago 10/12/2010 8:44pm EDT

re: sit in and relax

Some people can't stand running in the back, while others can't stand running in the front.

I personally hate hate hate leading a run. I go out of my way to get behind someone. Maybe that is telling of some aspect of my personality..who knows.

Anywho, my team has a couple guys who always need to be in front. It only bugs me when they start one-stepping and picking up the pace, when it's completely uneseccary.

We also have one guy who pushes the pace on almost all runs, and then proceeds to die slowly and run back with the slower group of guys.

13 years ago 10/12/2010 8:46pm EDT

re: sit in and relax

I can't stand guys who do this and insist on being one step in front all the time. You've got to break them in when they're freshmen, like horses. Otherwise they're ruined.

I advise deliberately running them into the ground until they get the message.

13 years ago 10/12/2010 8:59pm EDT

re: Ho Hum

I hate leading regular runs. But I feel like it's harder to run intervals(200-800s) when I'm behind someone, so I usually lead those.

13 years ago 10/12/2010 9:19pm EDT

re: the dancing cougar

I was known as the "cool down king" for a period in high school. This was probably sophomore year when I wasn't a great runner. I wasn't trying to be a jerk about it, but I knew I wasn't the fastest runner and it game me some kind of pride to at least be out in the front for something. And within a year or two I was one of the fastest guys on the team and started taking it more easy on those runs because I could prove myself elsewhere. As long as the guys aren't being jerks about it, I'd say let them be excited about something. That enthusiasm for running might be what one day lifts them to the top and then you'll see that they weren't doing it to be idiots per se, but because they had some healthy ambition that they just weren't able to manifest yet in races.

Pushing the pace is bad, but remember... you don't have to follow them.

13 years ago 10/12/2010 9:25pm EDT

re: sit in and relax

Start calling them "easy day racers"

Interview them after the workout and ask them how they felt about winning the race.

13 years ago 10/12/2010 9:34pm EDT

re: sit in and relax

It is because if you aren't the lead dog, the view never changes.

13 years ago 10/16/2010 10:29pm EDT

re: flounder

13 years ago 10/16/2010 10:41pm EDT

re: flounder

I like this idea too.

13 years ago 10/16/2010 11:28pm EDT

re: sit in and relax

sometimes i hate running in the back because i'm more likely to get dropped cause i dont notice it. if i stay in the front then its easier to keep up. not a pride or ego thing.

when i'm in better shape, sometimes i do it cause i don't like getting tangled up in the other guys legs.

again, not a pride or ego thing.

13 years ago 10/16/2010 11:30pm EDT

re: the dancing cougar

the dancing cougar wrote:
I hate leading regular runs. But I feel like it's harder to run intervals(200-800s) when I'm behind someone, so I usually lead those.

i kind of like leading fast ones too, since I feel like my leg span is cramped when I run behind sometimes

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