Mile and 2 Mile Race Tactics against a Better Field than I

extreme bump. I know tactics cnt be extremely crucial at the high school level, but it can help. Im in the same boat

If you're in high school, I don't really see any tactic really working better than any other as it's highly unlikely to come down to the final 200m or less where you can use your kick. Maybe in the mile you might be able to go to the front and keep things slow, but I'm guessing somone will put on a big surge somewhere between 800m and 1200m if you do that.

Just do your best and try be ready for any kind of race.

ive forced the pace to slow from the front before.. but that was just when I was head and shoulders ahead of everyone and was trying to conserve energy.

since it's hs, guys will go out fast, so you're not going to be able to go to the front and slow everything down. you have no shot if you're only in that shape. to optimize your place, you will want to get out easy and then draft.

easy first lap since there will more than likely be a fast first lap and then move up in position entering the first turn of the second lap. from there it just depends if your current fitness will keep you in the mix or if you'll fade.

to optimize your place, you will want to get out easy and then draft.

I second that, but only draft if the 200m splits are 36 or faster.

Or, if there is no real indoor season in your state and this is just one or two open races you are in, consider race shocking this race to prep for the outdoor season. So if you want to run 4:20 at the state meet, try running the first 800m here in 2:10.

If you are in 4:46 shape, you are probably a little closer to your pr than the rest of the field. Most likely you will finish in the middle.

As previously mentioned, high school races go out a little faster than necessary. So go out conservatively. Pick a spot at the top of the bottom third. Move up. Make a commitment to push the the final 4 laps HARD.

The only way you can beat a field with more talent is to run a disciplined race.

I'd say more than 90% of HS races go out too fast.

If the mile is won in 435, the splits could easily be 60, 70, 73, 72

You could run 68s and win. It's really hard to go out 8 seconds slower than the field. If you can, reeling them in will feel great.

The two mile could go 215, 230, 240, 230. You need to do the same thing.

You can beat "faster" runners, by being smarter.

Bdubs wrote:

If the mile is won in 435, the splits could easily be 60, 70, 73, 72

I have only seen one kid go out in a 60, and that was because he was actually out of it half the time. Other than that ive never seen super fast opening laps. Is it that common?

crazy kids wrote:

Bdubs wrote:

If the mile is won in 435, the splits could easily be 60, 70, 73, 72

I have only seen one kid go out in a 60, and that was because he was actually out of it half the time. Other than that ive never seen super fast opening laps. Is it that common?

where i'm from it is. i once ran in a 3200 where the 3200 opened in 63. I went through in 75 and ended up finishing in 10:08, three seconds behind the winner who wasn't the guy who ran 63.

at a lot key meet they once put guys and girls 1600 together, there was 1 fast girl(5:15) and I was fast (4:21) everyone was cheering for her to beat me, she went out in 63, I went out in 65. I ran 4:24 and she ran 5:35 and I lapped her.

Yeah, dont go out fast if you doubt your abilities at all.

yes i went there wrote:

i once ran in a 3200 where the 3200 opened in 63.

i meant where the 400 opened in 63

60 may've been an exaggeration. Still, many miles are won in 440 and the opening lap is 62-65. Those runners could easily be 5 seconds faster with even splits.

Run even splits and you can beat someone 5-10 seconds more talented than you.

Bdubs wrote:

60 may've been an exaggeration. Still, many miles are won in 440 and the opening lap is 62-65. Those runners could easily be 5 seconds faster with even splits.

Run even splits and you can beat someone 5-10 seconds more talented than you.

4:40 isnt fast... And soemtiems the fast start has a pyschological boost.

But anyways, don't go out super fast, but stay in position.

No way in hell you will have to tear through in 63 lol. Run liek 3 sec faster that 400m than predicted pace.

Hell I had my best 3200 by running a 4:37 5:04. Opened with a 65 then a 70.

Dotn worry if you go too fast in the beginning, just hang on through laps 6 and 7. ( I went like 79 both of those haha, much better to have hit like 75 for those 2 and then a 70 last lap instead of 79s and then a 66.)

If you are confident enough to run even splits you will beat kids better than you, it is just a fact. High School kids are stupid and go out too hard, at least until you get to the higher levels, where kids are going sub 4:20, and even then...

EVEN SPLITS... seriously the only way to run a good 2 mile

If you are in the bottom 50% of both races, why are you doubling? Even if 8 or the 12 places score points, you will get more points if you run only the second race. That way you can count on beating others that are tired from doubling.

Its a good training session. I always triple up for the non-important meets. 4x800 at 10. 1600 at 2:30. 3200 at 4:30.

I get the consensus of easy first lap then even laps after then balls out at the end. I'll post up results tonight. I feel pretty good so we'll see what happens.

There is nothing wrong with doubling or tripling as a workout, but, you shouldn't always do anything. You also have to practice putting it all on the line in one race. Some people need to practice this a lot. People who ask Letsrun for miracle tactics are especially prone to this problem.

In HS, after going out to hard, one of the major problems people have is coming up with excuses as to why they can ease off a little. I always triple, it's good training, logically sounds like a good excuse for why you are in the bottom half.