8,108
edits
Changes
From Fellrnr.com, Running tips
no edit summary
* '''Lap recording'''. Different races have different techniques for recording your lap count, from a human making a note on paper through to electronic timing systems. Regardless of the system the race uses, I would suggest that you keep your own tally using a good sports watch that will record each lap, along with the lap time and ideally some idea of the lap distance. [[Best Running Watch| GPS watches do not have the battery life]] to record the GPS data at sufficiently high resolution to be much use. I would recommend disabling GPS and using a [[Footpod]]. This data will help if there is any problem with the timing system or lap count. If this does happen (and it's happened twice to me), politely mention it to the volunteers and ask them to look into it. They may be able to find the problem, but if not, you have a record you can use to discuss the issue with the race organizers after the race.
* '''Staying on pace'''. In addition to recording your lap count and times, you can also get most sports watches to display your previous lap time and your average lap time. It's a simple matter to create a chart of total distance against the average lap time needed to hit that distance in 24 hours. This is a far easier system than trying to calculate using your lap count. For instance, if you know that to hit your target of 120 miles requires an average lap time of 12:34 then just looking at your watch will tell you how many seconds ahead or behind your target you are.
* '''Be nice'''. I believe that it's better to be nice to everybody in the race, and encourage everyone. I try to take time to thank the volunteers, and to encourage other runners regardless of their pace. In addition to general encouragement, I also like to check that other runners are doing okay. With practice, you can tell a lot about a runner's state just by their initial response, and sometimes just the look in their eyes tells you if they're really in trouble. I believe we're morally obligated to help people in need, and I'll stop to help a struggling runner, or seek out support staff to help them. While I do this because it's what I believe is the right thing to do, there are also some psychological benefits to encouraging others. It helps you realize you are not alone in your misery, and changes your focus from to be more outward.
* '''Use psychology?''' If you are aiming to win a race, then out psyching your competition can be a powerful tool. Overtaking your competition while looking strong and moving faster than your average pace can demoralize and help defeat your opponents. It's up to you to decide if you wish to use these techniques. Personally I would rather encourage my competition and be beaten than to win using that approach. However, you need to decide your own ethics. (I will go past a runner faster than usual if I want to be left alone rather than talk, but that seems different to me.)
* '''Weather'''. You want cool, windless conditions for a good race, but you don't always get what you want. If the weather is warm then your performance will suffer. However, ignoring the heat and trying to run as if it were cooler will result in more dramatic problems. The best approach is to slow up during the warmer part of the day and save your energy for the night. Your walking breaks can help you cool off a little, but also use the usual [[Running in the Heat| techniques for running in the heat]].
