Hi,
I am doing my first 1500m of the season next Saturday, and I am just wondering what you think the best way of pacing it is.
My best last summer was 4:16, so would the best thing be to go out in 68 and try and speed up to see how much faster I am, or go out a bit quicker and hold on for dear life? Maybe take it a bit conservatively for the first lap and speed up?
Thanks!
bump
The best way to run a 1500m is even. So 68.0/lap is ok. That leads to 4:15.
The first lap should feel a little bit conservative. The next lap you should push somewhat harder to run the same laptime. The third l;ap is the key, if you want to run fast you willl probably pass some other runners. You really have to push this lap and then from the bell run as fast as you can.
Key things:
Don't start to hard. Push the third lap.
Thanks, great advice!!
1500m runners here wrote:
The best way to run a 1500m is even. So 68.0/lap is ok. That leads to 4:15.
The first lap should feel a little bit conservative. The next lap you should push somewhat harder to run the same laptime. The third l;ap is the key, if you want to run fast you willl probably pass some other runners. You really have to push this lap and then from the bell run as fast as you can.
Key things:
Don't start to hard. Push the third lap.
Is this assuming you're running by yourself? I find it next to impossible to run an even paced race. I find the first 300 is pretty variable as you settle in to a place amongst the field while the 3rd lap always ends up being the slowest lap. There's always something left in the tank for a kick on the bell lap.
It's true you really have to mentally focus on the 3rd lap or else you will slow down a lot without realizing it. Of course all of this depends on how the field is running the race - if you are running in a pack and the whole group lets off the pace you may not want to take it up yourself.
My advice would be to focus on racing rather than your time. My best times always seem to come from races where I'm more focused on racing the field anyway. Perhaps this is b/c I'm trying to position myself for the bell during lap 3 which achieves the focus you need on the 3rd lap.
I get what you mean, that time from last summer was a big pb, because I basically ran at the back of the pack because they went out too fast so I just held on to them as far back as I could, then with 500m lap to go when everyone was dying I went for it.
There should be 10+ people in the race, with a good spread, so I will just settle into a pack for first lap and see how it goes.