I'm running my first mile race (outdoor track) on Wednesday, I'm 46. I am hoping to tap into the experience here and get an idea about how to approach it from a mental/psychological perspective. These are are general, your experience may vary, types of questions, but nonetheless:
At what point(s) does one transition from relative comfort/discomfort/pain?
Should I be looking at evenly paced laps, or negative split, positive split, what?
Since I'm racing more for time than place (looking to run 4:40-4:55), what role do others in the race place for me?
Where does one properly begin their kick? Is 600 too much, 500? 300 just right?
Any other tips would be appreciated. Thanks.