Is it a major disrespect to others to use a race as a tempo workout (whatever that means)

Ooogggaa wrote:

Is it a major disrespect to others to use a race as a tempo workout (whatever that means)

I'm against tempoing races but not due to disrespect. I've seen people who use races as workouts lose the ability to actually race all out. Tempoing races is a little like dropping out of races in that respect. The more you do it, the easier to is to take the easy out the next time you start to hurt in a race.

I'm also skeptical that sub-elites are really making money by running races at tempo pace once you factor in the cost of travel and lost time. Small races that can be won at tempo pace tend not to pay enough to be worthwhile and the larger ones tend to be competitive enough to ruin a tempo workout. I'm not saying it never works but it's also no sure thing even for people who are very good. For instance a 2:18 marathoner should tempo at about 5:15/mile pace which is a 16:16 5k. This wins many local 5k's but its also possible that the town's best HS runner or a decent D3 college runner will show up and force the 2:18 marathoner to run faster than tempo pace.

All of my races are a tempo until the 1/3 of the race or so. Because you can't go all out from the gun.

Ooogggaa wrote:

Is it a major disrespect to others to use a race as a tempo workout (whatever that means)

No and I think a lot of runners did this in the early 80's when distance running was actually very popular and there were some runners who were household names.

They would show up to races sometimes win in a slowish time or finish a few places off the lead.

There was no social media to discuss whether or not they were "done" and should hang up their shoes.

No excuses and they would mix with the regular people at the post race get together.

Ooogggaa wrote:

Is it a major disrespect to others to use a race as a tempo workout (whatever that means)

Why does anyone have to know it's a tempo?

Run your tempo and whatever place you place, you got that workout in. Congratulate people at the end and go home. If you go out of your way telling people it was a tempo you come off more as insecure than disrespectful. No. One. Needs. To. Know.

Ooogggaa wrote:

Is it a major disrespect to others to use a race as a tempo workout (whatever that means)

You are a narcissist. No one cares about what you are doing whether in your racing or training. How the heck would I know if another person is giving it a full effort or going 85%.

Some high schools are forced to run pointless dual meets during the week. Virtually all the good runners will "tempo" them instead of actually racing.

Protocol is that you announce to the people running around you and anyone who finishes ahead of you that were just tempoing it.

It's just a nice thing to do.

bout that cash money wrote:

it depends....running your local road race as workout? who cares, do what you want

a college runner running at their only home meet on a scholarship paid for by the fans watching the meet? yeah, kinda disrespectful

Distance running doesn't have enough fans to pay a scholarship son

Kennedy was already a pro in 93. How could he have done that in an NCAA meet?

As a female sub-elite marathoner, I love doing race-workouts. Let's say for instance I have 20 miles with 12 or so at MP on the schedule. I have the choice of:

a) creating a route, hiding/carrying fluids, pushing myself to run MP by myself around dog-walkers, tourists walking 7 across, and cars

b) doing a 7 mile warmup to a half marathon, running at MP on the road without having to worry about obstacles, having fluids handed to me like they will be in my marathon, practicing running in the race environment wearing my uniform and finding the correct pace, getting cheers and crowd support, and even potentially winning some prize money! And then I get to hang out with other runners from the community and catch up.

That's an obvious choice B for me. I have often done an 18 mile "warmup" to a 5k, or 10 mile run to a 10-miler. Racing is always better than working out solo, and while I usually go faster than "tempo" pace for my race efforts, I think practicing pacing in an exciting race environment with people yelling at you is especially important for marathoners.

And while I may write "MP race simulation" or something like that on Strava for my teammates, I would never say "just tempoing" to anyone at the race. If anyone says "nice job!" or "great race!" I would just say "thanks! what a beautiful day!" or something like that.

Are you talking elite level, or just joe or jane runner paying thier fee and running a race?

Oops, it doesn't matter! You can do whatever you want in a race. Don't be so sanctimonious about it. A race is not always the same. It varies.

As an aside, I've run dumb and had my coach yell at me. I've run smart and placed in the state meet and my coach still yelled at me (I didn't WIN). It's just a race. Who cares?

Reminds of back in the day, my friend saw a road race flyer that said no strollers.

He said “How are they going to know how hard we are running?”

Tue story

(Yes we signed up for races by filling out flyers and mailing it in with a check)

Yes. Treating a race with disrespect is racism.

Leon Trotsky said so.

Star wrote:

Reminds of back in the day, my friend saw a road race flyer that said no strollers.

He said “How are they going to know how hard we are running?”

Tue story

(Yes we signed up for races by filling out flyers and mailing it in with a check)

The good old days

Watch Your Mouth wrote:

No.

But you sound like an insecure douche after the race whenever someone asks you how you did, you add "but I was just tempoing it".

True... especially because it usually means it was a 98% effort and you slowed down at the end when you knew you were 40 seconds off your PR and called that a "tempo."

Yes, how DARE you not run all out in a race? Who do you think you are???? THE AUDACITY!

To the people who beat you: You are a sore loser.

To the people you beat: You are a jerk.

To yourself: You justify not running as well as you think you can and don't have to deal with the harsh reality that you are not actually as fast as you think.

You are right. It was 1992.

Didn't Mick Byrne have the Badgers tempo an in-season invitational a few years ago?