Racing Tactics for Distance Runners

The most important two things that a distance runner has to know is themselves and their competition. They need to know the strengths and weakness of both.

When it comes to yourself as an individual runner, you need to know what you can do best and when to do it. For example, if you don't possess the speed and strength to have a finishing kick, then you have to have a strong race to finish in the lead. Every runner that I know loves to win a race by out kicking his opponents at the end of a race. The only thing is though, it never usually turns out that way. If you start your kick to early, the lactic acid built up in your muscles prevents you from accelerating the way you desire. However, if you wait too long to kick it can be too late. So an individual really needs to understand their own body.

A runner has to study his competition,too. The least amount of runners in the race, the easier it is to do. If you are participating in a big race with many runners, you only need to know who the top 10 to 15 runners are. If you can't compete with them, then there is no need to be concerned any way. However, if you know that you are a factor as one of the top runners, then you need to understand your competition.

Some runners like to start fast. Other runners like to buy their time till they make their move towards the end of a race. Each individual is different. That is why I said that it is important to know what you can and can't do.

Sometimes the weather plays an important part in a race. If it is a very windy day, it is best to let someone set the pace and for you to run right behind them. Their body will block the wind for you. This same thing is done in Nascar driving. It is called drafting. It is possible to let several runners do this for you.

A good way to test a race out is to lay back in the pack. This lets the rabbits do their thing early before they tire themselves out and you as well. Smart runners will always get the feel for a race before making decisions. By laying back, you can also examine the other runners. You can determine if some runners are laboring or looking fresh. You may decide to pick out a runner and match strides with him. To some extent, this helps conserve your energy for later in the race. A friend of mine would always want to run with at least two other runners. They would take turns setting the pace for each other. When one got tired, the other would take over. This would go on until one of them would decide it was time for them to make their move.

As a runner, if you don't have a strong kick, you have to make your move earlier in the race. This can be very frustrating to your competition. This forces other runners to abandon their race strategy. They have to decide if they should let you get away or will you eventually come back to the pack. Some runners feel that if they get a big lead early in the race, the competition will give up on him and worry about the runners around them close by.

One of the things a runner has to avoid though is that of getting boxed in. The term "boxed in" means you are surrounded by runners and don't have the lanes open to move ahead. Many a great runners have lost big races because of this. If you find yourself boxed in during a race, here are some things to consider. If it is early in the race, you have plenty of time for things to open up. Don't panic. If it is late in race, slow a bit create some space and move to the outside quickly. Once you are there, pick up the pace and move ahead. I once had a coach that said if they give you so much as a dimes' length in space between two runners, use it and move through it quickly. Try to shoot a leg through first. The runner on the inside can't move because of the curve. However, the runner on the outside will feel you starting to come through and have to move over. On this move, expect some contact. Don't lose your balance. Be strong and quick. Once you are through, accelerate ahead.

As you near the finish line, you want to be as close to the curb as possible. If you have to move outside, you are running farther. The same with passing on a curve. If you move outside, you are extending the distance of the race. Always try to pass just as you come out of the curve. The only time you would pass on a curve is on the last lap of a race or towards the end of a race. If you are in a cross-country race or a road race, this problem will seldom come up. You only have to deal with it if you are on a track.

Try to always reserve some energy for the end. You don't want anything left at the end of a race if possible. If you do, you haven't raced wisely. I have seen many runners come flying to the finish after the leader has already won the race. This just simply means that the runner didn't know their own body and what it can do that well. The more they race, the better they will understand it. To spectators, it looks rather foolish to have that much energy left. Just remember this, you will get better and it is not their race. It is your race. The more you race the better you will get.

Lets look at distance racing from the back of the pack. Someone has to be last. It doesn't matter how good you are, sometime you will be at the back looking ahead. Once again, don't panic. Over the course of a race, things change. Although unlikely, I have seen runners go from last to first. The top runners run themselves out early in the race. They lose their energy and the last becomes first. If you are running last, don't lose contact. Do everything that you can do to stay up. If they burn out, they will come back to you. What might be difficult at the start could become a cakewalk later in the race.

Once the race is over, be gracious. Congratulate the winners and console the losers. Talk to the other runners and get their impressions of the race. You will be surprised at what you might learn from them and the racing tactics that they used. I was often surprised by how much they studied me and my race plans. Evaluating the race,the competition and myself, made me a better runner for other races.